Anti-human tlr7 antibody

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody which binds specifically to human TLR7 or monkey TLR7 and does not bind to mouse TLR7 or rat TLR7, and has an activity of inhibiting a function of human TLR7 or monkey TLR7, and the like.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/069,760, filed Oct. 13, 2020, which is acontinuation-in-part application of International Application No.PCT/JP2019/021466, filed May 30, 2019, which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2018-104676, filed May 31, 2018, each expresslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which is submittedin ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety. The ASCII copy, was created on Jun. 29, 2021, is named4141-P2USCIP_Seq_List_FINAL_20210629_ST25, and is 172,032 bytes in size.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to anti-human Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7antibodies for treating disorders and diseases.

BACKGROUND ART

In humans, 10 types of TLRs, which are pattern recognition molecules,are known to be present and form one family. Among them, TLR7(variant 1) is a single transmembrane protein consisting of 1049 aminoacids, and the possibility of it playing an important role in thepathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases,by detecting single-stranded RNAs and playing a role in the biologicaldefense reaction through production of type I interferons and cytokinesand the like, has been suggested (Non Patent Literature 1). Further,TLR7 (variant 2), which is a single transmembrane protein consisting of1049 amino acids, is also known to have the same function as TLR7(variant 1) above (Non Patent Literature 2). In particular, there aremany reports suggesting the involvement of TLR7 in diseases such aspsoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and it is expected that itis possible to treat such diseases by inhibiting the functions of TLR7(Non Patent Literature 3).

While TLR7 deficiency acts to reduce symptoms in disease models, drugscapable of specifically inhibiting TLR7 are considered promising intreating inflammatory diseases or the like, based on reports suggestingthat TLR9 deficiency is involved in disease progression (Non PatentLiterature 4).

Until now, research and development of nucleic acids, low-molecularweight compounds, and the like for inhibiting human TLR7 have beenattempted, but it is difficult to inhibit human TLR7 specifically usingnucleic acids or low-molecular weight compounds. Further, a mouseanti-mouse TLR7 antibody is known as a TLR7 antibody (Patent Literature1), but research and development of new human TLR7-specific inhibitorshave been required.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: International publication No. WO 2014/174704

Non Patent Literature

-   Non Patent Literature 1: Takeuchi O, Akira S. Cell. 2010 Mar. 19;    140 (6): 805-2-   Non Patent Literature 2: Chuang T H, Ulevitch R J, Eur Cytokine    Netw. 2000 September; 11 (3): 372-8-   Non Patent Literature 3: Lyn-Cook B D, Xie C, Oates J, Treadwell E,    Word B, Hammons G, Wiley K. Mol Immunol. 2014 September; 61 (1):    38-43.-   Non Patent Literature 4: Christensen S R, Shupe J, Nickerson K,    Kashgarian M, Flavell R A, Shlomchik M J Immunity. 2006 September;    25 (3): 417-28.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

It is an object of the present invention to provide an agent fortreating and/or preventing immune inflammation-related diseases,allergic diseases, infections, and cancers.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the inventors havesearched for a substance having the effect of treating and/or preventingimmune inflammation-related diseases, allergic diseases, infections, andcancers, and acquired a mouse anti-human TLR7 antibody. They haveaccomplished the present invention by humanizing the mouse anti-humanTLR7 antibody obtained and further modifying CDRs, frameworks, andvariable regions of the humanized antibody.

That is, the present invention includes the following aspects.

(1) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody havingthe properties of:

(a) specifically binding to human TLR7 or monkey TLR7 and not binding tomouse TLR7 or rat TLR7; and

(b) inhibiting a function of human TLR7 or monkey TLR7.

(2) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (1) above, wherein the human TLR7 is a molecule consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 4,the monkey TLR7 is a molecule consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 85, the mouse TLR7 is a molecule consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 83, or the rat TLR7 is amolecule consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:84.(3) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (1) or (2) above, having a competitive inhibitory activityfor binding to human TLR7 with:

an antibody comprising a heavy chain with a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 and alight chain with a light-chain variable region consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11;

an antibody comprising a heavy chain with a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 and alight chain with a light-chain variable region consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13; or

an antibody comprising a heavy chain with a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 and alight chain with a light-chain variable region consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15.

(4) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (1) to (3) above, comprising:

(a) CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:17, CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:18 and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 19, as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain, andCDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20,CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:22, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain;

(b) CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:23, CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:24 and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 25, as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain, andCDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26,CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:28, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain; or

(c) CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29, CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:30 and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 31, as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain, andCDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32,CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:34, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain.

(5) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (4) above, comprising:

CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 17,CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain, and

CDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20,CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:22, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain.

(6) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (1) to (5) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11;

(b) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13; or

(c) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15.

(7) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein a constant region is ahuman-derived constant region.(8) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (7) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36;

(b) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 471 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38, or

(c) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 470 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 234 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40.

(9) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (1) to (8) above, being humanized.(10) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (9) above, comprising:

(I) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41;    -   (b) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42;    -   (c) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (a) or (b); and    -   (d) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (a) or (b)        by deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids;        and

a light-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (e) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43;    -   (f) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44;    -   (g) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (e) or (f); and    -   (h) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (e) or (f)        by deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids; or

(II) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50;    -   (b) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (a); and    -   (c) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (a) by        deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids; and

a light-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (d) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51;    -   (e) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (d); and    -   (f) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (d) by        deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids.        (11) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the        antibody according to (10) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43;

(b) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44;

(c) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43;

(d) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44; or

(e) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 50 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51.

(12) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (11) above, comprising a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and alight-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 44.(13) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (11) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48;

(b) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49;

(c) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48;

(d) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49;

(e) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48;

(f) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49;

(g) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 471 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 52 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53; or

(h) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 468 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 54 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53.

(14) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (13) above, comprising a heavy chain consisting of an aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting of an amino acidsequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 49.(15) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody havingthe properties of:

(a) specifically binding to human TLR7,

(b) inhibiting a function of human TLR7, and

(c) comprising:

-   -   (1) CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ        ID NO: 17, CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth        in SEQ ID NO: 18 and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence        set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19, as complementarity determining        regions in the heavy chain, and CDRL1 consisting of the amino        acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, CDRL2 consisting of        the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and CDRL3        consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:        22, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain;    -   (2) CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ        ID NO: 23, CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth        in SEQ ID NO: 24 and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence        set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, as complementarity determining        regions in the heavy chain, and CDRL1 consisting of the amino        acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26, CDRL2 consisting of        the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 and CDRL3        consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:        28, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain;        or    -   (3) CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ        ID NO: 29, CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth        in SEQ ID NO: 30 and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence        set forth in SEQ ID NO: 31, as complementarity determining        regions in the heavy chain, and CDRL1 consisting of the amino        acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32, CDRL2 consisting of        the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33 and CDRL3        consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:        34, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain.        (16) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the        antibody according to (15) above, comprising:

CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 17,CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19, as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain, and

CDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20,CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:22, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain.

(17) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (15) or (16) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11;

(b) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13; or

(c) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15.

(18) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (15) to (17) above, wherein a constant region isa human-derived constant region.(19) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (18) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 36;

(b) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 471 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 38, or

(c) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 470 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 39 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 234 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 40.

(20) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (15) to (19) above, being humanized.(21) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (20) above, comprising:

(I) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41;    -   (b) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42;    -   (c) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (a) or (b); and    -   (d) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (a) or (b)        by deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids;        and

a light-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (e) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43;    -   (f) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44;    -   (g) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (e) or (f); and    -   (h) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (e) or (f)        by deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids; or

(II) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50;    -   (b) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (a); and    -   (c) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (a) by        deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids; and

a light-chain variable region consisting of an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (d) the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51;    -   (e) an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 95% or        more to the sequence (d); and    -   (f) an amino acid sequence derived from the sequence (d) by        deletion, substitution or addition of 1 to 10 amino acids.        (22) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the        antibody according to (21) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43;

(b) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44;

(c) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43;

(d) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44; or

(e) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 50 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 51.

(23) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (22) above, comprising a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and alight-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 44.(24) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (22) above, comprising:

(a) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48;

(b) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49;

(c) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48;

(d) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49;

(e) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48;

(f) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49;

(g) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 471 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 52 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53; or

(h) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20to 468 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 54 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53.

(25) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to (24) above, comprising a heavy chain consisting of an aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting of an amino acidsequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 49.(26) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibodycomprising a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:45 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48.(27) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibodycomprising a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:46 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48.(28) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibodycomprising a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:46 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49.(29) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibodycomprising a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:47 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49.(30) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibodycomprising a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 471 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:52 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53.(31) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibodycomprising a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 468 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:54 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53.(32) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (26) to (31) above, having the properties of:

(a) specifically binding to human TLR7; and

(b) inhibiting a function of human TLR7.

(33) The antigen-binding fragment of the antibody according to any oneof (1) to (32) above, wherein the antigen-binding fragment is selectedfrom the group consisting of Fab, F(ab)₂, Fab′ and Fv.(34) A polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding theantibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody according toany one of (1) to (33) above.(35) The polynucleotide according to (34) above, comprising:

(1) a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRH1 consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 17, a polynucleotide sequenceencoding CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 18 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRH3 consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19, and a polynucleotidesequence encoding CDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 20, a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRL2 consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and a polynucleotidesequence encoding CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 22;

(2) a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRH1 consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23, a polynucleotide sequenceencoding CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 24 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRH3 consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25, and a polynucleotidesequence encoding CDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 26, a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRL2 consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27 and a polynucleotidesequence encoding CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 28; or

(3) a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRH1 consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 29, a polynucleotide sequenceencoding CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 30 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRH3 consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 31, and a polynucleotidesequence encoding CDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 32, a polynucleotide sequence encoding CDRL2 consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33 and a polynucleotidesequence encoding CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 34.

(36) The polynucleotide according to (35) above, comprising:

(I) a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable        region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77;    -   (b) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable        region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 78; and    -   (c) a polynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide which        hybridizes with a polynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide        sequence complementary to the polynucleotide sequence (a) or (b)        under stringent conditions; and

a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (d) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the light-chain variable        region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79;    -   (e) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the light-chain variable        region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 80; and    -   (f) a polynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide which        hybridizes with a polynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide        sequence complementary to the polynucleotide sequence (d) or (e)        under stringent conditions; or

(II) a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (a) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable        region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 81; and    -   (b) a polynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide which        hybridizes with a polynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide        sequence complementary to the polynucleotide sequence (a) under        stringent conditions; and

a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   (c) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the light-chain variable        region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 82; and    -   (d) a polynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide which        hybridizes with a polynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide        sequence complementary to the polynucleotide sequence (c) under        stringent conditions.        (37) The polynucleotide according to (36) above, comprising:

(a) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable regionset forth in SEQ ID NO: 77 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79;

(b) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable regionset forth in SEQ ID NO: 77 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 80;

(c) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable regionset forth in SEQ ID NO: 78 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79;

(d) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable regionset forth in SEQ ID NO: 78 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 80; or

(e) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable regionset forth in SEQ ID NO: 81 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 82.

(38) An expression vector comprising the polynucleotide according to anyone of (34) to (37) above.(39) A host cell transformed with the expression vector according to(38) above.(40) The host cell according to (39) above, wherein the host cell is aeukaryotic cell.(41) A method for producing an antibody or an antigen-binding fragmentof the antibody, comprising the steps of:

culturing the host cell according to (39) or (40) above; and

collecting the antibody or the fragment of interest from the cultureobtained in the above step.

(42) An antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody obtainedby the production method according to (41).(43) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (32) above, comprisingone or more modifications selected from the group consisting ofglycosylation to N-linkage, glycosylation to O-linkage, N-terminalprocessing, C-terminal processing, deamidation, isomerization ofaspartic acid, oxidation of methionine, addition of a methionine residueto N-terminal, amidation of a proline residue, and deletion of one ortwo amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain.(44) The antibody according to (43) above, comprising: two heavy chainsconsisting of one kind of or a combination of any two kinds of heavychains selected from the group consisting of the full length anddeletion variants with one or two amino acids deleted at the carboxylterminus.(45) The antibody according to (44) above, wherein one amino acid isdeleted at the carboxyl terminus in each of the two heavy chains.(46) The antibody according to any one of (43) to (45) above, wherein aproline residue at the carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain is furtheramidated.(47) A pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing adisease, comprising: at least one of the antibodies or theantigen-binding fragments of the antibodies according to (1) to (33) and(42) to (46) above, or the expression vector according to (38) as anactive ingredient.(48) The pharmaceutical composition according to (47) above, fortreating a disease caused by a function of human TLR7.(49) The pharmaceutical composition according to (48) above, wherein thedisease caused by a function of human TLR7 is an immuneinflammation-related disease, an allergic disease, an infection or acancer.(50) The pharmaceutical composition according to (49) above, wherein theimmune inflammation-related disease is systemic lupus erythematosus,rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still'sdisease, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic scleroderma, polymyositis,dermatomyositis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, mixed connectivetissue disease or muscular dystrophy.(51) The pharmaceutical composition according to (49) or (50) above,wherein the immune inflammation-related disease is systemic lupuserythematosus.(52) The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of (47) to (51)above, to be used in combination with an immunosuppressant, ananti-inflammatory drug, an antiallergic agent, an anti-infective agent,or an anticancer agent.(53) A method for treating a disease caused by a function of human TLR7,comprising: administering at least one of the antibodies or theantigen-binding fragments of the antibodies according to (1) to (33) and(42) to (46) above to an individual.(54) A method for treating a disease caused by a function of human TLR7,comprising administering at least one of the antibodies or theantigen-binding fragments of the antibodies according to (1) to (33) and(42) to (46) above together with an immunosuppressant, ananti-inflammatory drug, an antiallergic agent, an anti-infective agentor an anticancer agent, simultaneously, separately or sequentially to anindividual.(55) The treatment method according to (53) or (54) above, wherein thedisease caused by a function of human TLR7 is an immuneinflammation-related disease, an allergic disease, an infection or acancer.(56) The treatment method according to (55) above, wherein the immuneinflammation-related disease is systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoidarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease,ankylosing spondylitis, systemic scleroderma, polymyositis,dermatomyositis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, mixed connectivetissue disease or muscular dystrophy.(57) The treatment method according to (55) or (56) above, wherein theimmune inflammation-related disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.(58) The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (1) to (33) and (42) to (46) above, or theexpression vector according to (38) above, to be used for treating orpreventing a disease caused by a function of human TLR7.(59) The antibody, the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody, or theexpression vector according to (58) above, wherein the disease caused bya function of human TLR7 is an immune inflammation-related disease, anallergic disease, an infection or a cancer.(60) The antibody, the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody, or theexpression vector according to (59) above, wherein the immuneinflammation-related disease is systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoidarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease,ankylosing spondylitis, systemic scleroderma, polymyositis,dermatomyositis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, mixed connectivetissue disease or muscular dystrophy.(61) The antibody, the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody, or theexpression vector according to (59) or (60) above, wherein the immuneinflammation-related disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.(62) The antibody, the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody, or theexpression vector according to any one of (58) to (61) above, to be usedin combination with an immunosuppressant, an anti-inflammatory drug, anantiallergic agent, an anti-infective agent or an anticancer agent.(63) Use of the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to any one of (1) to (33) and (42) to (46) above, or theexpression vector according to (38) above, for producing a therapeuticagent or a preventive agent for a disease caused by a function of humanTLR7.(64) The use according to (63) above, wherein the disease caused by afunction of human TLR7 is an immune inflammation-related disease, anallergic disease, an infection or a cancer.(65) The use according to (64) above, wherein the immuneinflammation-related disease is systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoidarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease,ankylosing spondylitis, systemic scleroderma, polymyositis,dermatomyositis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, mixed connectivetissue disease or muscular dystrophy.(66) The use according to (64) or (65) above, wherein the immuneinflammation-related disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.(67) The use according to any one of (63) to (66) above, wherein thetherapeutic agent or the preventive agent is used in combination with animmunosuppressant, an anti-inflammatory drug, an antiallergic agent, ananti-infective agent or an anticancer agent.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, an agent having a mechanism ofaction of inhibiting a function of TLR7 for treating and/or preventingimmune inflammation-related diseases, allergic diseases, infections, andcancers can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) of human TLR7(variant 1).

FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) of human TLR7(variant 2).

FIG. 3 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 83) of mouse TLR7.

FIG. 4 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 84) of rat TLR7.

FIG. 5 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 85) of monkey TLR7.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing that the ATO1 antibody, the NB7 antibody, andthe FAN2 antibody suppress the production of IL-6 from human peripheralblood mononuclear cells (which will be hereinafter referred to as PBMCs)treated with CL-264 in a concentration dependent manner.

FIG. 7 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 35) of the heavy chainof the cAT01 antibody, which includes the signal sequence thereof, andthe amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 36) of the light chain of the cAT01antibody, which includes the signal sequence thereof. In the heavy-chainamino acid sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is thesignal sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 135 is theheavy-chain variable region, and the amino acid sequence at positions136 to 465 is the heavy-chain constant region. In the light-chain aminoacid sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 20 is thesignal sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 126 is thelight-chain variable region, and the amino acid sequence at positions127 to 233 is the light-chain constant region.

FIG. 8 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 37) of the heavy chainof the cNB7 antibody, which includes the signal sequence thereof, andthe amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 38) of the light chain of the cNB7antibody, which includes the signal sequence thereof. In the heavy-chainamino acid sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is thesignal sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 141 is theheavy-chain variable region, and the amino acid sequence at positions142 to 471 is the heavy-chain constant region. In the light-chain aminoacid sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 20 is thesignal sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 126 is thelight-chain variable region, and the amino acid sequence at positions127 to 233 is the light-chain constant region.

FIG. 9 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 39) of the heavy chainof the cFAN2 antibody, which includes the signal sequence thereof, andthe amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 40) of the light chain of the cFAN2antibody, which includes the signal sequence thereof. In the heavy-chainamino acid sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is thesignal sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 140 is theheavy-chain variable region, and the amino acid sequence at positions141 to 470 is the heavy-chain constant region. In the light-chain aminoacid sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 20 is thesignal sequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 127 is thelight-chain variable region, and the amino acid sequence at positions128 to 234 is the light-chain constant region.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing that cAT01, cNB7, and cFAN2, which arechimeric anti-human TLR7 antibodies, suppress the production of IL-6from human PBMCs treated with CL-264 in a concentration dependentmanner.

FIG. 11 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 45) of the heavy chainof huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA, which includes the signal sequence thereof, andwhich is a humanized heavy chain. In the sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 135 is the variable region, and the aminoacid sequence at positions 136 to 465 is the constant region. Further,the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 54 is CDRH1, the amino acidsequence at positions 69 to 78 is CDRH2, and the amino acid sequence atpositions 118 to 124 is CDRH3.

FIG. 12 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 46) of the heavy chainof huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA, which includes the signal sequence thereof, andwhich is a humanized heavy chain. In the sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 135 is the variable region, and the aminoacid sequence at positions 136 to 465 is the constant region. Further,the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 54 is CDRH1, the amino acidsequence at positions 69 to 78 is CDRH2, and the amino acid sequence atpositions 118 to 124 is CDRH3.

FIG. 13 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 47) of the heavy chainof huAT01_H3_IgG4Pro, which includes the signal sequence thereof, andwhich is a humanized heavy chain. In the sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 135 is the variable region, and the aminoacid sequence at positions 136 to 462 is the constant region. Further,the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 54 is CDRH1, the amino acidsequence at positions 69 to 78 is CDRH2, and the amino acid sequence atpositions 118 to 124 is CDRH3.

FIG. 14 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 5)of the variable region of cAT01_H, which is the heavy chain of chimericantibody cAT01 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cAT01_H), theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 41) of the variable region of humanizedantibody heavy chain huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA (which will be hereinafterreferred to as huAT01_H1), and the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 42)of the variable region of humanized antibody heavy chainhuAT01_H3_IgG1LALA (which will be hereinafter referred to as huAT01_H3).In the sequences of huAT01_H1 and huAT01_H3, the symbol “⋅” representsthe same amino acid residue as that of cAT01_H, and a substituted aminoacid residue is shown in the site where the amino acid residue isdescribed.

FIG. 15 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 48) of the light chainof huAT01_L1, which includes the signal sequence thereof and which is ahumanized light chain. In the sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 1 to 20 is the signal sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 126 is the variable region, and the amino acid sequenceat positions 127 to 233 is the constant region. Further, the amino acidsequence at positions 44 to 54 is CDRL1, the amino acid sequence atpositions 70 to 76 is CDRL2, and the amino acid sequence at positions109 to 116 is CDRL3.

FIG. 16 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 49) of the light chainof huAT01_L2, which includes the signal sequence thereof and which is ahumanized light chain. In the sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 1 to 20 is the signal sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 126 is the variable region, and the amino acid sequenceat positions 127 to 233 is the constant region. Further, the amino acidsequence at positions 44 to 54 is CDRL1, the amino acid sequence atpositions 70 to 76 is CDRL2, and the amino acid sequence at positions109 to 116 is CDRL3.

FIG. 17 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 11)of the variable region of cAT01_L, which is the light chain of chimericantibody cAT01 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cAT01_L), theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 43) of the variable region of humanizedantibody light chain huAT01_L1 (which will be hereinafter referred to ashuAT01_L1), and the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 44) of the variableregion of humanized antibody light chain huAT01_L2 (which will behereinafter referred to as huAT01_L2). In the sequences of huAT01_L1 andhuAT01_L2, the symbol “⋅” represents the same amino acid residue as thatof cAT01_L, and a substituted amino acid residue is shown in the sitewhere the amino acid residue is described.

FIG. 18 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 52) of the heavy chainof huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA, which includes the signal sequence thereof andwhich is a humanized heavy chain. In the sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 141 is the variable region, and the aminoacid sequence at positions 142 to 471 is the constant region. Further,the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 55 is CDRH1, the amino acidsequence at positions 70 to 78 is CDRH2, and the amino acid sequence atpositions 118 to 130 is CDRH3.

FIG. 19 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 54) of the heavy chainof huNB7_H3_IgG4Pro, which includes the signal sequence thereof andwhich is a humanized heavy chain. In the sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, the amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 141 is the variable region, and the aminoacid sequence at positions 142 to 468 is the constant region. Further,the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 55 is CDRH1, the amino acidsequence at positions 70 to 78 is CDRH2, and the amino acid sequence atpositions 118 to 130 is CDRH3.

FIG. 20 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7)of the variable region of cNB7_H, which is the heavy chain of chimericantibody cNB7 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cNB7_H) and theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 50) of the variable region of humanizedantibody heavy chain huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA (which will be hereinafterreferred to as huNB7_H3). In huNB7_H3, the symbol “⋅” represents thesame amino acid residue as that of cNB7_H, and a substituted amino acidresidue is shown in the site where the amino acid residue is described.

FIG. 21 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 53) of the light chainof huNB7_L3, which includes the signal sequence thereof and which is ahumanized light chain. In the sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 1 to 20 is the signal sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 126 is the variable region, and the amino acid sequenceat positions 127 to 233 is the constant region. Further, the amino acidsequence at positions 44 to 54 is CDRL1, the amino acid sequence atpositions 70 to 76 is CDRL2, and the amino acid sequence at positions109 to 116 is CDRL3.

FIG. 22 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 13)of the variable region of cNB7_L, which is the light chain of chimericantibody cNB7 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cNB7_L) and theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 51) of the variable region of humanizedantibody light chain huNB7_L3 (which will be hereinafter referred to ashuNB7_L3). In huNB7_L3, the symbol “⋅” represents the same amino acidresidue as that of cNB7_L, and a substituted amino acid residue is shownin the site where the amino acid residue is described.

FIG. 23 is a graph showing that humanized anti-human TLR7 antibodies(huAT01_H1L1_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L1_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA,huAT01_H3L2_IgG4Pro, huNB7_H3L3_IgG1LALA, and huNB7_H3L3_IgG4Pro)suppress the production of IL-6 from human PBMCs treated with CL-264 ina concentration dependent manner.

FIG. 24-1 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 17) of CDRH1 of ATO1antibody, the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 18) of CDRH2 thereof, theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 19) of CDRH3 thereof, the amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 20) of CDRL1 thereof, the amino acid sequence (SEQID NO: 21) of CDRL2 thereof, and the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 22)of CDRL3 thereof. FIG. 24-2 shows the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:23) of CDRH1 of NB7 antibody, the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 24) ofCDRH2 thereof, the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 25) of CDRH3 thereof,the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 26) of CDRL1 thereof, the amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 27) of CDRL2 thereof, and the amino acid sequence(SEQ ID NO: 28) of CDRL3 thereof. FIG. 24-3 shows the amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 29) of CDRH1 of FAN2 antibody, the amino acidsequence (SEQ ID NO: 30) of CDRH2 thereof, the amino acid sequence (SEQID NO: 31) of CDRH3 thereof, the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 32) ofCDRL1 thereof, the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 33) of CDRL2 thereof,and the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 34) of CDRL3 thereof.

FIG. 25 shows the results of a flow cytometry analysis on binding to anantigen (human TLR7: variant 1) of humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody(huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA) and is a graph showing specific binding to theantigen.

FIG. 26 shows the results of a flow cytometry analysis on binding to anantigen (human TLR7: variant 2) of humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody(huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA) and is a graph showing specific binding to theantigen.

FIG. 27 shows the results of a flow cytometry analysis on binding to anantigen (monkey TLR7) of humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody(huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA) and is a graph showing specific binding to theantigen.

FIG. 28 shows the results of a flow cytometry analysis on binding to anantigen (mouse TLR7) of humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody(huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA) and is a graph showing non-binding to theantigen.

FIG. 29 shows the results of a flow cytometry analysis on binding to anantigen (rat TLR7) of humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody(huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA) and is a graph showing non-binding to theantigen.

FIG. 30 shows the results of evaluation of in vivo inhibitory effects ofanti-human TLR7 antibody using human TLR7 transgenic/mouse TLR7 knockoutmice. Amount of IL-6 production was measured by ELISA kits using seracollected from mice treated with the control antibody or the humanizedanti-human TLR7 antibody (huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA) and then with a ligandof TLR7 (R848).

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In this description, the term “gene” includes not only DNA but alsomRNA, cDNA, and cRNA.

In this description, the term “polynucleotide” is used in the samemeaning as “nucleic acid” and also includes DNA, RNA, probes,oligonucleotides, and primers.

In this description, the terms “polypeptide” and “protein” are usedwithout distinction.

In this description, the term “RNA fraction” means a fraction containingRNA.

In this description, the term “cells” includes cells in animalindividuals and cultured cells.

In this description, the term “TLR7” is used to have the same meaning asTLR7 protein.

In this description, the term “antigen-binding fragment of an antibody”means a partial fragment of an antibody having binding activity to anantigen and includes Fab, F(ab′)₂, Fv, scFv, diabodies, linearantibodies, multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments, andthe like. Further, an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody alsoincludes Fab′ which is a monovalent fragment in a variable region of anantibody obtained by treating F(ab′)₂ under reducing conditions.However, there is no limitation to these molecules as long as thefragment has an ability to bind to an antigen. Further, theantigen-binding fragment includes not only those obtained by treating afull-length molecule of an antibody protein with a suitable enzyme butalso a protein produced in a suitable host cell using a geneticallyengineered antibody gene.

Complementarity determining regions (CDR: Complementarity DeterminingRegions) are known to be present at three points in each of the heavyand light chains of an antibody molecule. The complementaritydetermining regions, which are also called hypervariable regions, arepresent in the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anantibody at sites where the variability of the primary structure isparticularly high. In the primary structure of the polypeptide chain ineach of the heavy and light chains, the complementarity determiningregions are separately present at three points. Concerning thecomplementarity determining regions of an antibody, the complementaritydetermining regions of the heavy chain are expressed as CDRH1, CDRH2,and CDRH3 from the amino-terminal side of the heavy-chain amino acidsequence, and the complementarity determining regions of the light chainare expressed as CDRL1, CDRL2, and CDRL3 from the amino-terminal side ofthe light-chain amino acid sequence, in this description. These sitesare adjacent to each other on the three-dimensional structure anddetermine the specificity for the antigen to be bound. Further, theamino chain sequence of each CDR is described according to the AbMdefinition (Martin, A. C. R., Cheetham, J. C. and Rees, A. R. (1989)Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 86, 9268-9272).

In the present invention, the phrase “hybridizing under stringentconditions” means hybridizing at 68° C. in a commercially availablehybridization solution, ExpressHyb Hybridization Solution (ClontechLaboratories, Inc.) or hybridizing under conditions which allowhybridization at 68° C. in the presence of 0.7 to 1.0-M NaCl using afilter to which DNA is immobilized and subsequent identification bywashing at 68° C. using an SSC solution of 0.1 to 2-fold concentration(SSC of 1-fold concentration composed of 150-mM NaCl and 15-mM sodiumcitrate) or conditions equivalent thereto.

1. TLR7

Human TLR7 used in the present invention can be directly purified fromhuman B cells or dendritic cells or prepared by adjusting the cellmembrane fractions of the aforementioned cells for use. Further, humanTLR7 can be obtained by in-vitro synthesis or production in host cellsby genetic engineering. In genetic engineering, human TLR7 is expressedspecifically by being integrated into a vector capable of expressinghuman TLR7 cDNA, followed by synthesis in a solution containing enzymes,substrates, and energy substances that are necessary for transcriptionand translation, or human TLR7 is expressed by transformation of hostcells of other prokaryotes or eukaryotes, so that such a protein can beobtained.

Likewise, monkey TLR7, mouse TLR7, and rat TLR7 can be directly purifiedfrom TLR7-expressing cells of monkeys, mice, and rats, respectively, andused, or prepared by adjusting the cell membrane fractions of theaforementioned cells for use. Further, monkey TLR7, mouse TLR7, and ratTLR7 can be obtained by in-vitro synthesis or production in host cellsby genetic engineering.

The polynucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of humanTLR7 (variant 1) and human TLR7 (variant 2) are set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO: 3, respectively in the Sequence Listing, and the aminoacid sequences of human TLR7 (variant 1) and human TLR7 (variant 2) areset forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively in the SequenceListing.

The cDNA of human TLR7 can be obtained, for example, by the so-calledPCR method, with polymerase chain reaction (which will be hereinafterreferred to as “PCR”) (Saiki, R. K., et al., Science, (1988) 239,487-49) using a cDNA library from an organ expressing the mRNA of humanTLR7 as a template and a primer which specifically amplifies the cDNA ofhuman TLR7.

The cDNA of human TLR7 also includes a polynucleotide which hybridizeswith a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementaryto the nucleotide sequence encoding human TLR7 under stringentconditions and encodes a protein having a biological activity equivalentto human TLR7. Further, the cDNA of human TLR7 also includes a splicingvariant transcribed from the human TLR7 gene locus or a polynucleotidewhich hybridizes with the splicing variant under stringent conditionsand encodes a protein having a biological activity equivalent to humanTLR7.

Further, human TLR7 also includes a protein which consists of the aminoacid sequence of human TLR7 or the amino acid sequence excluding thesignal sequence with one, two, three, four, or five amino acidssubstituted, deleted, or added and has a biological activity equivalentto human TLR7. Further, human TLR7 also includes a protein whichconsists of the amino acid sequence encoded by the splicing varianttranscribed from the human TLR7 gene locus or the amino acid sequencewith one, two, three, four, or five amino acids substituted, deleted, oradded and has a biological activity equivalent to human TLR7.

The polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of monkeyTLR7 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 58 in the Sequence Listing, and theamino acid sequence of monkey TLR7 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 85 in theSequence Listing.

The cDNA of monkey TLR7 can be obtained, for example, by the PCR methodusing a cDNA library from an organ expressing the mRNA of monkey TLR7 asa template and a primer which specifically amplifies the cDNA of monkeyTLR7.

The cDNA of monkey TLR7 also includes a polynucleotide which hybridizeswith a polynucleotide consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementaryto the nucleotide sequence encoding monkey TLR7 under stringentconditions and encodes a protein having a biological activity equivalentto monkey TLR7. Further, the cDNA of monkey TLR7 also includes asplicing variant transcribed from the monkey TLR7 gene locus or apolynucleotide which hybridizes with the splicing variant understringent conditions and encodes a protein having a biological activityequivalent to monkey TLR7.

Further, monkey TLR7 also includes a protein which consists of the aminoacid sequence of monkey TLR7 or the amino acid sequence excluding thesignal sequence with one, two, three, four, or five amino acidssubstituted, deleted, or added and has a biological activity equivalentto monkey TLR7. Further, monkey TLR7 also includes a protein whichconsists of the amino acid sequence encoded by the splicing varianttranscribed from the monkey TLR7 gene locus or the amino acid sequencewith one, two, three, four, or five amino acids substituted, deleted, oradded and has a biological activity equivalent to monkey TLR7.

The polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of monkeyTLR7 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 58 in the Sequence Listing, and theamino acid sequence of monkey TLR7 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 85 in theSequence Listing.

The cDNA of monkey TLR7 can be obtained, for example, by the PCR methodusing a cDNA library from an organ expressing the mRNA of monkey TLR7 asa template and a primer which specifically amplifies the cDNA of monkeyTLR7.

The polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of mouseTLR7 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 56 in the Sequence Listing, and theamino acid sequence of mouse TLR7 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 83 in theSequence Listing.

The cDNA of mouse TLR7 can be obtained, for example, by the PCR methodusing a cDNA library from an organ expressing the mRNA of mouse TLR7 asa template and a primer which specifically amplifies the cDNA of mouseTLR7.

The polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of rat TLR7is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 57 in the Sequence Listing, and the aminoacid sequence of rat TLR7 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 84 in the SequenceListing.

The cDNA of rat TLR7 can be obtained, for example, by the PCR methodusing a cDNA library from an organ expressing the mRNA of rat TLR7 as atemplate and a primer which specifically amplifies the cDNA of rat TLR7.

2. Anti-TLR7 Antibody and Production Thereof

The present invention provides an antibody or an antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody having the properties of:

(a) specifically binding to human TLR7 or monkey TLR7 and not binding tomouse TLR7 or rat TLR7; and(b) inhibiting a function of the human TLR7 or the monkey TLR7.

The antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody of thepresent invention binds specifically to human TLR7 or monkey TLR7 andinhibits the functions thereof.

The binding activity of the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment ofthe antibody to TLR7 is evaluated by flow cytometry analysis accordingto a conventional method.

In this description, inhibiting a function of TLR7 means suppressing theproduction of IL-6 and/or type I interferon by TLR7-expressing cells.The activity of inhibiting a function of TLR7 is evaluated by incubatingTLR7-expressing cells (for example, PBMCs) in vitro in the presence ofthe antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody andmeasuring the concentration of IL-6 or type I interferon in the culturesupernatant.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the human TLR7 is a moleculeconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQID NO: 4, the monkey TLR7 is a molecule consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 85, the mouse TLR7 is a moleculeconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 83, or therat TLR7 is a molecule consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 84. For example, the human TLR7 can be a moleculeconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQID NO: 4, the monkey TLR7 can be a molecule consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 85, the mouse TLR7 can be a moleculeconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 83, andthe rat TLR7 can be a molecule consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 84, in the present invention.

For example, the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody of the present invention can be an antibody against human TLR7or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody having the properties of:

(a) specifically binding to human TLR7 and not binding to mouse TLR7and/or rat TLR7; and(b) inhibiting a function of human TLR7, wherein the human TLR7 is amolecule consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2or SEQ ID NO: 4, the mouse TLR7 is a molecule consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 83, and the rat TLR7 is a moleculeconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 84.

For example, the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody of the present invention can be an antibody to monkey TLR7 oran antigen-binding fragment of the antibody having the properties of:

(a) specifically binding to monkey TLR7 and not binding to mouse TLR7and/or rat TLR7; and(b) inhibiting a function of monkey TLR7, wherein the monkey TLR7 is amolecule consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:85, the mouse TLR7 is a molecule consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 83, and the rat TLR7 is a molecule consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 84.

Hereinafter, the anti-TLR7 antibody of the present invention and aproduction method thereof are described with reference to the case ofanti-human TLR7 antibody as an example. Anti-monkey TLR7 antibody alsocan be produced in the same manner as the production method ofanti-human TLR7 antibody.

The antibody to human TLR7 of the present invention can be obtained byimmunizing an animal with human TLR7 or any polypeptide selected fromthe amino acid sequence of human TLR7, and collecting and purifying theantibody produced in vivo, using conventional methods.

Human TLR7 serving as an antigen can be obtained by expressing a humanTLR7 gene in a host cell by genetic engineering. Specifically, a vectorcapable of expressing the TLR7 gene may be prepared and introduced intoa host cell to express the gene, and the TLR7 expressed may be purified.

The antibody to human TLR7 of the present invention can be obtained alsoby DNA immunization. The DNA immunization is a technique to induceimmunity to an antigen by transfection of an antigen-expressing plasmidinto an animal individual such as a mouse or a rat, thereby allowing theindividual to express the antigen.

Examples of the transfection technique include a method of directlyinjecting the plasmid into a muscle, a method of injecting a conjugateof the plasmid with a liposome, polyethyleneimine, or the like into avein, a technique using viral vectors, a technique of injecting goldparticles with the plasmid attached using a Gene Gun, and a hydrodynamicmethod of rapidly injecting a large amount of a solution of the plasmidinto a vein.

For improving the expression level in the transfection method byintramuscular injection of the expression plasmid, a technique ofintramuscularly injecting the plasmid and thereafter applyingelectroporation to the same site (Aihara H, Miyazaki J. Nat Biotechnol.1998 September; 16(9): 867-70 or Mir L M, Bureau M F, Gehl J, Rangara R,Rouy D, Caillaud J M, Delaere P, Branellec D, Schwartz B, Scherman D.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1999 Apr. 13; 96(8): 4262-7) is known as in-vivoelectroporation. In this technique, the expression level is furtherimproved by treating a muscle with hyaluronidase before intramuscularinjection of the plasmid (McMahon J M, Signori E, Wells K E, Fazio V M,Wells D J. Gene Ther. 2001 August; 8(16): 1264-70).

Further, a monoclonal antibody can also be obtained, according to aknown method (for example, Kohler and Milstein, Nature (1975) 256, p.495-497, Kennet, R. ed., Monoclonal Antibodies, p. 365-367, PlenumPress, N.Y. (1980)), by fusing an antibody-producing cell which producesan antibody to TLR7 with a myeloma cell to establish a hybridoma.Specific examples of such a method include those described inInternational publication No. WO 09/48072 (published on Apr. 16, 2009)and International publication No. WO 10/117011 (published on Oct. 14,2010).

Examples of the mouse anti-human TLR7 antibody established as above caninclude the ATO1 antibody, the NB7 antibody, and the FAN2 antibody.

The amino acid sequence of the heavy-chain variable region of the ATO1antibody is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 in the Sequence Listing, and thepolynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence is set forth inSEQ ID NO: 6 in the Sequence Listing. The amino acid sequence of theheavy-chain variable region of the NB7 antibody is set forth in SEQ IDNO: 7 in the Sequence Listing, and the polynucleotide sequence encodingthe amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 8 in the SequenceListing. The amino acid sequence of the heavy-chain variable region ofthe FAN2 antibody is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 in the Sequence Listing,and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence is setforth in SEQ ID NO: 10 in the Sequence Listing.

Further, the amino acid sequence of the light-chain variable region ofthe ATO1 antibody is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 in the Sequence Listing,and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence is setforth in SEQ ID NO: 12 in the Sequence Listing. The amino acid sequenceof the light-chain variable region of the NB7 antibody is set forth inSEQ ID NO: 13 in the Sequence Listing, and the polynucleotide sequenceencoding the amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14 in theSequence Listing. The amino acid sequence of the light-chain variableregion of the FAN2 antibody is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 in theSequence Listing, and the polynucleotide sequence encoding the aminoacid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16 in the Sequence Listing.

The heavy-chain variable region of the ATO1 antibody comprises CDRH1consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 17(GYTFTNNWLH), CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 18 (DIYPSNGRTN), and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19 (ERGYFDY). Further, the light-chainvariable region of the antibody comprises CDRL1 consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20 (KASQDINKYIA), CDRL2 consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 (YTSTLQP), andCDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22(LQYDYLLT). The amino acid sequences of the aforementioned CDRs areshown also in FIG. 24-1.

The heavy-chain variable region of the NB7 antibody comprises CDRH1consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23(GYSITSDYAWN), CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 24 (HISYRGNTN), and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 25 (WNYYGYVDYAMDY). Further, thelight-chain variable region of the antibody comprises CDRL1 consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 26 (RASQDISNYLN),CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 27(YTSRLHS), and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 28 (QQGDTFPT). The amino acid sequences of the aforementionedCDRs are shown also in FIG. 24-2.

The heavy-chain variable region of the FAN2 antibody comprises CDRH1consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 29(GFSLTGYGVN), CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 30 (MIWGDGSTD), and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 31 (DKGYDGYYYAMDY). Further, thelight-chain variable region of the antibody comprises CDRL1 consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 32 (RASENIYSYLA),CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 33(DAKTLAE), and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 34 (QHHYGIPYT). The amino acid sequences of theaforementioned CDRs are shown also in FIG. 24-3.

In one embodiment, the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody of the present invention can have a competitive inhibitoryactivity for binding to the human TLR7 with an antibody comprising theamino acid sequences of the heavy-chain variable region and thelight-chain variable region of the ATO1 antibody, the NB7 antibody orthe FAN2 antibody.

In another embodiment, the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment ofthe antibody of the present invention can be an antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprising CDRH1 to CDRH3 ofthe ATO1 antibody as complementarity determining regions in the heavychain and CDRL1 to CDRL3 of the ATO1 antibody as complementaritydetermining regions in the light chain, an antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprising CDRH1 to CDRH3 ofthe NB7 antibody as complementarity determining regions in the heavychain and CDRL1 to CDRL3 of the NB7 antibody as complementaritydetermining regions in the light chain, or an antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprising CDRH1 to CDRH3 ofthe FAN2 antibody as complementarity determining regions in the heavychain and CDRL1 to CDRL3 of the FAN2 antibody as complementaritydetermining regions in the light chain. In a preferred aspect, theantibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody of the presentinvention can be an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of theantibody comprising CDRH1 to CDRH3 of the ATO1 antibody ascomplementarity determining regions in the heavy chain and CDRL1 toCDRL3 of the ATO1 antibody as complementarity determining regions in thelight chain.

In still another embodiment, the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody of the present invention can be an antibodycomprising the sequences of the heavy-chain variable region and thelight-chain variable region of the ATO1 antibody, the NB7 antibody orthe FAN2 antibody.

The antibody of the present invention includes recombinant antibodiesartificially modified for the purpose of reducing the heteroantigenicityto humans and the like, such as chimeric antibodies, humanizedantibodies, and human antibodies, in addition to the aforementionedmonoclonal antibodies to human TLR7. These antibodies can be producedusing known methods.

Examples of the chimeric antibodies can include an antibody in which thevariable region and the constant region of the antibody areheterogeneous to each other, such as a chimeric antibody with a variableregion of a mouse- or rat-derived antibody joined to a human-derivedconstant region (see Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A, 81, 6851-6855,(1984)). Examples of the mouse anti-human TLR7 antibody (ATO1antibody)-derived chimeric antibody can include an antibody consistingof a heavy chain comprising a heavy-chain variable region consisting ofthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 and a light chain comprising alight-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO: 11. Examples of the ATO1 antibody-derived chimeric antibody caninclude an antibody consisting of a heavy chain consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in SEQ ID NO: 35 and a light chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in SEQ IDNO: 36. In this description, such an antibody is referred to as “cAT01”or “cAT01 antibody”.

Further, examples of the mouse anti-human TLR7 antibody (NB7antibody)-derived chimeric antibody can include an antibody consistingof a heavy chain comprising a heavy-chain variable region consisting ofthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 and a light chain comprising alight-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO: 13. Examples of the NB7 antibody-derived chimeric antibody caninclude an antibody consisting of a heavy chain consisting of an aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 471 in SEQ ID NO: 37 and a light chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in SEQ IDNO: 38. In this description, such an antibody is referred to as “cNB7”or “cNB7 antibody”.

Further, examples of the mouse anti-human TLR7 antibody (FAN2antibody)-derived chimeric antibody can include an antibody consistingof a heavy chain comprising a heavy-chain variable region consisting ofthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 and a light chain comprising alight-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO: 15. Examples of the FAN2 antibody-derived chimeric antibody caninclude an antibody consisting of a heavy chain consisting of an aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 470 in SEQ ID NO: 39 and a light chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 234 in SEQ IDNO: 40. In this description, such an antibody is referred to as “cFAN2”or “cFAN2 antibody”.

Humanized antibodies that are recombinant antibodies can be produced byartificially modifying the sequences of the aforementioned chimericantibodies to human TLR7 for the purpose of reducing theheteroantigenicity to humans and the like. Further, the antibody of thepresent invention includes antibodies with modified CDRs of thehumanized antibodies. These antibodies can be produced using knownmethods.

Examples of the humanized antibodies can include an antibody with onlythe CDRs integrated into a human-derived antibody (see Nature (1986)321, p. 522-525), and an antibody with not only the sequences of CDRsbut also the amino acid residues of some parts of the framework graftedinto a human antibody (International publication No. WO 90/07861).

For example, humanized antibodies derived from the cAT01 antibody andthe cNB7 antibody retain all of the 6 CDR sequences derived from cAT01or cNB7 and have the activity of inhibiting a function of human TLR7.

Suitable cases of the aforementioned humanized antibodies can includecAT01 antibody-derived humanized antibodies (huAT01 antibodies) such as:an antibody consisting of a heavy chain comprising a heavy-chainvariable region consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQID NO: 41 and a light chain comprising a light-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43; anantibody consisting of a heavy chain comprising a heavy-chain variableregion consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41and a light chain comprising a light-chain variable region consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44; an antibodyconsisting of a heavy chain comprising a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and alight chain comprising a light-chain variable region consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43; and an antibodyconsisting of a heavy chain comprising a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and alight chain comprising a light-chain variable region consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44.

Further, an antibody having an activity equivalent to the aforementionedhuAT01 antibodies can be selected by combining sequences exhibiting highhomology with the amino acid sequence of the heavy-chain variable regionand the amino acid sequence of the light-chain variable region of theaforementioned huAT01 antibodies respectively. The homology is generallya homology of 80% or more, preferably a homology of 90% or more, morepreferably a homology of 95% or more, most preferably a homology of 99%or more (however, the CDRs are the same as in the aforementionedantibodies). Further, an antibody having an activity equivalent to theaforementioned antibodies can also be selected by combining an aminoacid sequence with one to several (for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,or 10) amino acid residues substituted, deleted, or added in the aminoacid sequence of the heavy-chain variable region or the light-chainvariable region (however, excluding the CDR sites).

Further suitable cases can include: an antibody consisting of a heavychain consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 inthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and a light chainconsisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48; an antibody consistingof a heavy chain consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 20to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and a lightchain consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 inthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; an antibodyconsisting of a heavy chain consisting of the amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:46 and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48; anantibody consisting of a heavy chain consisting of the amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:49; an antibody consisting of a heavy chain consisting of the amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 47 and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:48; or an antibody consisting of a heavy chain consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 462 in the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 47 and a light chain consisting of the amino acidsequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 49.

Further, examples of the cNB7 antibody-derived humanized antibody (huNB7antibody) can include an antibody consisting of a heavy chain comprisinga heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 50 and a light chain comprising a light-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 51.

Further, an antibody having an activity equivalent to the aforementionedhuNB7 antibody can be selected by combining sequences exhibiting highhomology with the amino acid sequence of the heavy-chain variable regionand the amino acid sequence of the light-chain variable region of theaforementioned huNB7 antibody. The homology is generally a homology of80% or more, preferably a homology of 90% or more, more preferably ahomology of 95% or more, most preferably a homology of 99% or more(however, the CDRs are the same as in the aforementioned antibodies).Further, an antibody having an activity equivalent to the aforementionedantibody can also be selected by combining an amino acid sequence withone to several (for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10) amino acidresidues substituted, deleted, or added in the amino acid sequence ofthe heavy-chain variable region or the light-chain variable region(however, excluding the CDR sites).

Further suitable cases can include: an antibody consisting of a heavychain consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 471 inthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 52 and a light chainconsisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53; or an antibodyconsisting of a heavy chain consisting of the amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 468 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:54 and a light chain consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53.

The antibody of the present invention may be obtained by introducingfurther mutation into the aforementioned humanized antibodies to changethe binding ability with respect to human TLR7. Such a technique iscalled affinity maturation, and specific examples thereof can includethe ribosome display method. The ribosome display method is a method ofisolating a gene sequence of a protein which binds to a target molecule,using a tripartite complex in which the protein and mRNA carrying thegenetic information of the protein are bound together via ribosomes(Stafford R L. et. al. Protein Eng. Des. Sel. 2014 (4): 97-109).

In order to avoid injuring normal human TLR7-expressing cells, theantibody desirably has low effector activity. The effector activity isknown to differ depending on the subclass of the antibody. For example,a feature of IgG4 is that it has low ADCC and CDC activities, and afeature of IgG2 is that it has CDC activity while having low ADCCactivity. Based on such features, an antibody with reduced ADCC and CDCactivities can be produced by substituting the constant region of IgG1with the constant region of IgG2 or IgG4. Further, an IgG1 antibody withreduced ADCC and CDC activities can be produced by partiallysubstituting the sequence of the constant region of IgG1 with referenceto IgG2 or IgG4. As an example, Marjan Hezareh et. al. Journal ofVirology, 75 (24): 12161-12168 (2001) shows that the ADCC and CDCactivities are reduced by substituting leucine residues 234 and 235 (thenumerals represent EU indices by Kabat et. al.) of IgG1 respectivelywith alanine residues.

The present invention includes modified forms of the antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody. The modified forms mean thoseformed by chemically or biologically modifying the antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody of the present invention. Thechemically modified forms include chemically modified forms ofcarbohydrate chains by attachment of a chemical moiety to the amino acidbackbone, N-linkage, or O-linkage. The biologically modified formsinclude those modified after translation (for example, by glycosylationto N-linkage or O-linkage, N-terminal or C-terminal processing,deamidation, isomerization of aspartic acid, and oxidation ofmethionine), and those with a methionine residue added at the N-terminalby expression using prokaryote host cells. Further, the meaning of themodified products also includes those labeled for enabling detection orisolation of the antibody of the present invention or antigen, such asenzyme-labeled bodies, fluorescence-labeled bodies, and affinity-labeledbodies. Such modified products of the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody of the present invention are useful forimproving the stability and the blood retention of the original antibodyof the present invention, reducing the antigenicity, and detecting orisolating the antibody or antigen.

It is known that a lysine residue at the carboxyl terminus of the heavychain of antibodies produced in cultured mammalian cells is deleted(Journal of Chromatography A, 705: 129-134 (1995)). Further, it is alsoknown that two amino acid residues, glycine and lysine, at the carboxylterminus of the same heavy chain are deleted, and a proline residuenewly located at the carboxyl terminus is amidated (AnalyticalBiochemistry, 360: 75-83 (2007)).

However, such deletions and modifications of the heavy-chain sequencehave no influence on the antigen-binding ability and the effectorfunctions (such as complement activation and antibody-dependent cellularcytotoxicity) of the antibody.

Accordingly, examples of modified forms of the antibody and theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody of the present invention caninclude: deletion variants with one or two amino acids deleted at thecarboxyl terminus of the heavy chain; and amidated deletion variants(such as a heavy chain with an amidated proline residue at the carboxylterminal part). However, the deletion variants at the carboxyl terminusof the heavy chain of the antibody according to the present inventionare not limited to the aforementioned types, as long as theantigen-binding ability and the effector functions are maintained.

Two heavy chains constituting the antibody according to the presentinvention may be a combination of any one or two types of heavy chainsselected from the group consisting of the full length and theaforementioned deletion variants. The quantitative ratio of the deletionvariants can be affected by the type of cultured mammalian cells andculture conditions for producing the antibody according to the presentinvention, but examples of the main component of the antibody accordingto the present invention can include a component with one amino acidresidue deleted at the carboxyl terminus in each of the two heavychains. That is, heavy chains consisting of amino acid sequences withone or two amino acids deleted at the carboxyl terminus of eachheavy-chain sequence represented by an amino acid sequence at positions20 to 465 in SEQ ID NO: 35, an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to471 in SEQ ID NO: 37, an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 470 inSEQ ID NO: 39, an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in SEQ IDNO: 45, an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in SEQ ID NO: 46,an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 462 in SEQ ID NO: 47, an aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 471 in SEQ ID NO: 52, and an amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 468 in SEQ ID NO: 54, in the SequenceListing can also be used for the antibody of the present invention.

The antibodies obtained by the aforementioned methods are evaluated fortheir binding property with respect to an antigen, so that a suitableantibody can be selected therefrom. Another indicator for comparing theproperties of the antibodies can be the stability of the antibodies, forexample. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a method thatenables quick and accurate measurement of the thermal denaturationmidpoint (Tm), which is a good indicator of the relative structuralstability of proteins. The differences in thermostability can becompared by measuring the Tm values using DSC and comparing the values.It is known that the storage stability of antibodies shows somecorrelation with the thermostability of antibodies (Lori Burton, et.al., Pharmaceutical Development and Technology (2007) 12, p. 265-273),and a suitable antibody can be selected using the thermostability as anindicator. Examples of other indicators for selecting an antibody caninclude high yield in a suitable host cell and low aggregability in anaqueous solution. Since the antibody, for example, with the highestyield does not necessarily show the highest thermostability,comprehensive determination needs to be made based on the aforementionedindicators to select an antibody that is most suitable foradministration to humans.

Further, a method of obtaining a single-chain immunoglobulin by linkingthe full-length sequences of the heavy and light chains of an antibodyusing a suitable linker is also known (Lee, H-S, et. al., MolecularImmunology (1999) 36, p. 61-71; Schirrmann, T. et. al., mAbs (2010), 2,(1) p. 73-76). Such a single-chain immunoglobulin is dimerized and thuscan maintain a structure and an activity that are similar to those of anantibody that was originally a tetramer. Further, the antibody of thepresent invention may be an antibody comprising a single heavy-chainvariable region and no light-chain sequences. Such an antibody is calleda single domain antibody (sdAb) or nanobody and is reported to beactually observed in camels or llamas and maintain antigen-bindingability (Muyldermans S. et. al., Protein Eng. (1994) 7 (9), 1129-35,Hamers-Casterman C. et. al., Nature (1993) 363 (6428) 446-8). Theaforementioned antibody can also be understood to be a kind ofantigen-binding fragment of the antibody of the present invention.

Further, the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity can be enhanced byadjusting the glycosylation bound to the antibody of the presentinvention. International publication No. WO 99/54342, Internationalpublication No. WO 00/61739, International publication No. WO 02/31140,International publication No. WO 2007/133855, International publicationNo. WO 2013/120066, and the like are known as techniques for adjustingglycosylation of antibodies, but there is no limitation to these.

In the case of producing an antibody by isolating an antibody gene onceand thereafter introducing it into a suitable host cell, a combinationof such a suitable host cell and an expression vector can be used.

Specific examples of the antibody gene can include a combination of agene encoding the heavy-chain sequence and a gene encoding thelight-chain sequence of the antibodies in this specification. Morespecifically, examples of the antibody gene can include a combination ofa polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding theantibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody of the presentinvention, a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequenceencoding the amino acid sequence of the heavy-chain variable region ofthe antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody of thepresent invention, and a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotidesequence encoding the amino acid sequence of the light-chain variableregion of the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyof the present invention. The heavy-chain sequence gene constituting theantibody gene also includes a polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotidesequence of a polynucleotide which hybridizes with a polynucleotideconsisting of a polynucleotide sequence complementary to theaforementioned polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variableregion under stringent conditions. Further, the light-chain sequencegene constituting the antibody gene also includes a polynucleotidecomprising a polynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide whichhybridizes with a polynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide sequencecomplementary to the aforementioned polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region under stringent conditions.

When transforming the host cell, the heavy-chain sequence gene and thelight-chain sequence gene can be inserted in the same expression vectoror in separate expression vectors. In the case of using a eukaryoticcell as a host cell, animal cells, plant cells, and eukaryoticmicroorganisms can be used. Examples of the animal cells can include (1)mammalian cells such as COS cells (Gluzman, Y. Cell (1981) 23, p.175-182, ATCC CRL-1650) which are monkey cells, and dihydrofolatereductase enzyme-deficient strains (Urlaub, G. and Chasin, L. A. Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A (1980) 77, p. 4126-4220) of mouse fibroblastsNIH3T3 (ATCC No. CRL-1658) and Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO cells,ATCC CCL-61). Further, in the case of using prokaryotic cells, examplescan include Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. An antibody isobtained by introducing a target antibody gene into such a cell bytransformation and culturing the transformed cell in vitro. Since theyield may differ depending on the sequence of the antibody in theaforementioned culture method, those easily produced as pharmaceuticalscan be selected from amongst antibodies having the same binding activityusing the yield as an indicator.

There is no limitation on the isotype of the antibody of the presentinvention, and examples thereof can include IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, andIgG4), IgM, IgA (IgA1 and IgA2), IgD, or IgE, preferably IgG or IgM,further preferably IgG1 or IgG4.

Further, the antibody of the present invention may be an antigen-bindingfragment of an antibody comprising an antigen-binding site of theantibody or a modified product thereof. A fragment of the antibody canbe obtained by treating the antibody with a protease such as papain andpepsin or modifying the antibody gene with a genetically engineeredtechnique to allow expression in a suitable cultured cell. Among suchantibody fragments, fragments maintaining all or part of the functionsof the full-length molecules of the antibody can be calledantigen-binding fragments of the antibody.

Examples of the functions of antibodies can generally includeantigen-binding activity, the activity of neutralizing antigen activity,the activity of enhancing antigen activity, antibody-dependentcytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, andcomplement-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The function of theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody in the present invention isbinding activity to human TLR7, preferably the activity of inhibiting afunction of human TLR7, more preferably the activity of suppressingproduction of IL-6 and/or type I interferon by TLR7-expressing cells.

Examples of the fragment of the antibody can include Fab, F(ab′)₂, Fv,or single-chain Fv (scFv) obtained by linking heavy- and light-chain Fvswith a suitable linker, diabodies, linear antibodies, and multispecificantibodies formed from antibody fragments. Further, the fragment of theantibody also includes a monovalent Fab′ fragment in a variable regionof the antibody obtained by treating F(ab′)₂ under reduced conditions.

Further, the antibody of the present invention may be a multispecificantibody having specificity to at least two types of different antigens.In general, such a molecule binds to two types of antigens (that is, abispecific antibody), but the “multispecific antibody” in the presentinvention includes antibodies having specificity to more (for example,three types of) antigens.

The multispecific antibody of the present invention may be an antibodyconsisting of the full-length or a fragment of such an antibody (forexample, F(ab′)₂ bispecific antibody). The bispecific antibody can beproduced also by binding the heavy and light chains (HL pairs) of twotypes of antibodies to each other or producing a bispecificantibody-producing fusion cell by fusing hybridomas which producedifferent monoclonal antibodies (Millstein et al., Nature (1983) 305, p.537-539).

The antibody of the present invention may also be a single-chainantibody (which may be referred to also as scFv). The single-chainantibody can be obtained by linking the heavy-chain variable region andthe light-chain variable region of an antibody by a polypeptide linker(Pluckthun, The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, 113 (edited byRosenberg and Moore), Springer Verlag, New York, p. 269-315 (1994),Nature Biotechnology (2005), 23, p. 1126-1136). Further, a BiscFvfragment produced by binding two scFvs with a polypeptide linker canalso be used as a bispecific antibody.

Methods for producing single-chain antibodies are known in thistechnical field (for example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,946,778, 5,260,203,5,091,513, and 5,455,030). In such a scFv, the heavy-chain variableregion and the light-chain variable region are linked via a linker whichdoes not produce conjugates, preferably a polypeptide linker (Huston, J.S. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (1988), 85, p. 5879-5883). Theheavy-chain variable region and the light-chain variable region in thescFv may be derived from the same antibody or separate antibodies. Anysingle-chain peptide consisting of 12 to 19 residues is, for example,used as the polypeptide linker which links the variable regions.

DNA encoding the scFv is obtained by PCR amplification using a DNAelement encoding the whole or a desired part of the amino acid sequenceof DNA encoding the heavy chain or the heavy-chain variable region ofthe antibody and DNA encoding the light chain or the light-chainvariable region thereof as a template and a primer pair defining bothends thereof, and further amplification by combining DNA encoding apolypeptide linker portion and a primer pair defining both ends thereofso as to be linked respectively with the heavy chain and the lightchain.

Further, once DNA encoding the scFv is produced, an expression vectorcontaining the DNA and a host cell transformed by the expression vectorcan be obtained according to conventional methods. Further, the scFv canbe obtained using the host cell according to a conventional method. Suchan antibody fragment can be produced by obtaining and expressing a genethereof in a host cell as described above.

The antibody of the present invention may be an antibody multimerized toincrease the affinity for the antigen. The antibody to be multimerizedmay be one antibody or a plurality of antibodies which recognize aplurality of epitopes of the same antigen. Examples of the method formultimerizing the antibody can include binding of an IgG CH3 domain totwo scFvs, binding to streptavidin, and introduction of ahelix-turn-helix motif.

The antibody of the present invention may be a polyclonal antibody whichis a mixture of a plurality of types of anti-human TLR7 antibodiescomprising different amino acid sequences. As an example of thepolyclonal antibody, there is a mixture of a plurality of types ofantibodies comprising different CDRs. As such a polyclonal antibody, anantibody purified from a culture obtained by culturing a mixture ofcells which produce different antibodies can be used (see Internationalpublication No. WO 2004/061104).

As a modified product of the antibody, an antibody bound to variousmolecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) can also be used.

The antibody of the present invention may further be an immunoconjugateformed by such an antibody and another drug. Examples of the antibodycan include the antibody bound to a radioactive substance or a compoundhaving a pharmacological action (Nature Biotechnology (2005) 23, p.1137-1146).

The antibody obtained can be purified to homogeneity. For separating andpurifying the antibody, common separation and purification methods usedfor proteins may be used. For example, the antibody can be separated andpurified by appropriately selecting and combining column chromatography,filter filtration, ultrafiltration, salting-out, dialysis, preparativepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and the like(Strategies for Protein Purification and Characterization: A LaboratoryCourse Manual, Daniel R. Marshak et al. eds., Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press (1996); Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual. Ed Harlow andDavid Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988)), but there is nolimitation to these.

Examples of the chromatography can include affinity chromatography, ionexchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, gel filtrationchromatography, reverse-phase chromatography, and adsorptionchromatography. Such chromatography can be performed using liquidchromatography such as HPLC and FPLC. Examples of the column used forthe affinity chromatography can include a protein A column and a proteinG column. Examples of a column which is a protein A column can includeHyper D, POROS, Sepharose F. F. (pharmacia). Further, the antibody canalso be purified, using a carrier with an immobilized antigen, byutilizing the binding property to the antigen.

3. Pharmaceutical Containing Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody

Antibodies that inhibit a function of human TLR7 can be obtained fromthe anti-human TLR7 antibodies obtained by the methods disclosed in “2.Anti-TLR7 antibody and production thereof” above. These antibodies thatinhibit a function of human TLR7 can inhibit the biological activity ofhuman TLR7 in vivo, that is, activation of human TLR7-expressing cellstypified by blood cells by human TLR7 ligands, and therefore can be usedas pharmaceuticals such as agents for treating and/or preventingdiseases caused by a function of human TLR7.

The diseases and conditions caused by a function of human TLR7 caninclude immune inflammation-related diseases, allergic diseases,infections, or cancers.

Examples of the immune inflammation-related diseases can includediseases of the connective tissue and the musculoskeletal system (suchas systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenileidiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, ankylosingspondylitis, systemic scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis,psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, mixed connective tissue disease,and muscular dystrophy), the blood system (such as autoimmune hemolyticanemia, aplastic anemia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), thedigestive tract system (such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, andileitis), the hepatobiliary pancreatic system and the endocrine system(such as autoimmune hepatitis, viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis,nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primarybiliary cirrhosis, Sjogren's syndrome, type 1 diabetes, autoimmunethyroiditis, Graves' disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis), therespiratory system (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,cystic fibrosis, and interstitial pneumonia), the cranial nervous system(such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, meningitis,encephalomyelitis, and autoimmune encephalitis), the visual system (suchas uveitis, trachoma, and endophthalmitis), the cardiovascular system(such as vasculitis syndrome, polyangiitis granulomatosis Wegener'sgranulomatosis, myocarditis, ischemic heart disease, andatherosclerosis), the skin epidermis system (such as psoriasis,pemphigus, vitiligo, contact dermatitis, and eczema), the renal system(such as glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, IgA nephropathy,purpura nephritis, nephrosis, and interstitial cystitis), and theendocrine system (such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroiditis,Graves' disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis), and systemic inflammation(such as Behcet's disease, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome,IgG4-related diseases, sepsis, hemorrhage, hypersensitivity,transplantation rejection, and shock symptoms caused by, for example,cancer chemotherapy).

Examples of the allergic diseases can include atopic dermatitis, asthma,anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid reactions, food allergy, rhinitis, otitismedia, drug reactions, insect sting reactions, plant reactions, latexallergy, conjunctivitis, and urticaria.

Examples of the infections can include diseases caused by infections byviruses (such as a single-stranded RNA virus, a double-stranded RNAvirus, a single-stranded DNA virus, and a double-stranded DNA virus),bacteria (such as gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria,acid-fast bacteria, actinomycetes, spirochetes, spiral bacteria,Rickettsia, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma), fungi (such as Trichophyton,Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Pneumocystis, and Malassezia), andparasites (such as filariae, trematodes, cestodes, Distoma,Echinococcus, Entamoeba histolytica, fleas, lice, mites, Ascaridida, andOxyuridae).

Examples of the cancer treatment can include treatments for lymphoma,leukemia, breast cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancer.

Examples of the anti-human TLR7 antibodies as pharmaceuticals caninclude chimeric antibodies and humanized antibodies, which are producedfrom the ATO1 antibody and/or the NB7 antibody, and CDR modified formsthereof.

The inhibitory activity against a function of human TLR7 by theanti-human TLR7 antibodies in vitro can be measured, for example, basedon the activity of suppressing the activation of blood cells expressinghuman TLR7. For example, the activity of suppressing IL-6 release fromhuman PBMCs by CL264 stimulation can be measured by adding eachanti-human TLR7 antibody to human PBMCs at various concentrations.

It has been experimentally proved and widely recognized that, in variousimmune inflammation-related diseases including systemic lupuserythematosus, the ligand concentration of human TLR7 is increased,human TLR7 expression is enhanced, or human TLR7 stimulation is caused.Inflammatory responses due to inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin6 (IL-6) produced by the action of human TLR7 ligands on humanTLR7-expressing cells and release of type I interferons due toenhancement and activation of antibody production cause systemic immuneinflammatory responses and cause development of, or worsen, autoimmunitysuch as systemic lupus erythematosus. Accordingly, suppressing theproduction of cytokines which depend on human TLR7 stimulation leads toprevention and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and the like,and the usefulness of a human TLR7 antibody as a remedy can bedetermined using suppression activity as an indicator.

Examples of a suitable antibody in the present invention can include anantibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody which bindsspecifically to human TLR7 comprising the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4 and reduces the amount of IL-6 released byCL264-treated human PBMCs in a concentration dependent manner.

Further, the treatment or prevention effects by the anti-human TLR7antibody on various diseases can be checked based on an in-vivoevaluation system or ex-vivo evaluation system by administration of theanti-human TLR7 antibody to monkeys cross-reactive with the antibody, oralso based on the following in-vivo evaluation system by administrationof the anti-human TLR7 antibody to human TLR7 transgenic and mouse TLR7knockout mice.

The effects on inflammatory cytokine production are evaluated bycomparing the ability to produce cytokine in the peripheral bloodbetween the anti-TLR7 antibody group and the non-administration group,in inflammation induced by intraperitoneally or intravenouslyadministering TLR7 ligands to mice.

The effects on atopic dermatitis are evaluated by quantifying thebehavior caused by atopic dermatitis spontaneously developed or inducedby a method such as repeatedly applying a mite antigen cream to theauricle or the back 3 to 6 times every 3 days to 2 weeks, applyinghaptens to the auricle, the abdomen, or the back daily to once a week,administering a pruritus inducer intradermally in the auricle,subcutaneously in the back, or intrathecally, or using NC/Nga mice whichare spontaneous atopic mice, through measurement of the frequency ofpruritus using magnets mounted on both insteps of mice and a pruritusbehavior measuring device, or inspection of the pathological features ofthe skin, the peripheral blood, the spinal cord tissue, and the like,and comparing the results between the anti-human TLR7 antibody group andthe non-administration group.

The effects on psoriasis are evaluated by quantifying psoriasiformdermatitis induced by a method such as applying Imiquimod or R848 to theauricle and the back after shaving, administering cytokines such asIL-23 to mice intradermally in the auricle, through such as measurementof the weight and the thickness of the inflammation site or themyeloperoxidase activity of neutrophils infiltrating the site, flowcytometry analysis of the infiltrated cells, gene analysis, ormeasurement of the cytokine concentration, and comparing the resultsbetween the anti-TLR7 antibody group and the non-administration group.

The effects on arthritis are evaluated by inducing arthritis by a methodsuch as administering an emulsion obtained by mixing a bovine type IIcollagen solution and a complete Freund's adjuvant intradermally to thetail base of mice and thereafter administering an emulsion obtained bymixing a bovine type II collagen solution and an incomplete Freund'sadjuvant 2 to 3 weeks later, or administering an anti-bovine type IIcollagen antibody and TLR ligands, and comparing the scoring ofsubsequent joint swelling, measurement of the thickness of the footpad,the concentrations of antibodies, cytokines or blood biomarkers in theblood or tissues, or the proliferative activity, the ability to producecytokine or the surface antigens of the cells obtained from theperipheral blood, the spleen, the lymph nodes, the bone marrow, thejoint sites, or the like, between the anti-human TLR7 antibody group andthe non-administration group.

The effects on colitis are evaluated by inducing colitis by a methodsuch as administering trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid into the intestineof mice fasted for 24 hours, allowing ad libitum access to a 1 to 10%dextran sodium sulfate aqueous solution from a supply bottle for 4 daysto 2 weeks, or transferring CD4+CD25-CD45RBhi T cells collected from thelymph nodes and the spleen of human TLR7 transgenic mice afterpurification intraperitoneally to Rag2-deficient mice, and comparing thebody weight during the observation period, the thickening degree, thenumber and size of polyps, and the histopathological features of theintestine by autopsy after the completion of the test, theconcentrations of antibodies, cytokines or blood biomarkers in the bloodor tissues, the proliferative activity, the ability to produce cytokineor the surface antigens of the cells obtained from the intestine, theperipheral blood, the thymus, the spleen, the lymph nodes, the bonemarrow, or Peyer's patches, or the like, between the anti-human TLR7antibody group and the non-administration group.

The effects on systemic lupus erythematosus are evaluated by comparingbetween the anti-human TLR7 antibody group and the non-administrationgroup: the concentrations of antibodies, cytokines or blood biomarkersin the blood or tissues collected from NZB/WF1 mice, MRL/lpr mice andBXSB mice which are spontaneous models over time, the antibody titer orthe biomarker concentration in their urine, or a symptom induced bytransferring cells prepared from an organ such as the spleen and thelymph nodes collected after the completion of the above test tountreated mice, or the like.

The effects on hepatitis are evaluated by inducing hepatitis by a methodsuch as administering D-galactosamine alone or in combination withlipopolysaccharide intraperitoneally to mice and administeringconcanavalin A alone into the tail vein, and comparing the AST and ALTconcentrations in the blood collected 1 hour to 1 week afteradministering an inflammatory substance, the cytokine concentration, andthe histopathological condition of liver lesions, between the anti-humanTLR7 antibody group and the non-administration group.

The thus obtained antibody that inhibits the biological activity ofhuman TLR7 is useful as a pharmaceutical, particularly, as an antibodyfor preventing or treating immune inflammation-related diseasesincluding systemic lupus erythematosus, allergic diseases, infections,or cancers.

As one example, the anti-human TLR7 antibody can be administered aloneor in combination with at least one other therapeutic agent, fortreating or preventing immune inflammation-related diseases, allergicdiseases, infections, or cancers. Examples of the other therapeuticagent which can be administered in combination with the anti-human TLR7antibody can include corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs, nucleic acid antimetabolites, nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors,antifolates, calcineurin inhibitors, anti-malarial drugs, antithymocyteglobulins, biologics targeting cell surface antigens, or biologicstargeting cytokine interferons or cytokine interferon receptors, butthere is no limitation to these examples.

Specific examples of the therapeutic agent can includeMethylprednisolone as a corticosteroid, Loxoprofen Sodium Hydrate,Diclofenac sodium, Indomethacin, and Acetyl salicylic acid asnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Mycophenolate mofetil as anucleic acid antimetabolite, Cyclophosphamide as a nucleic acidsynthesis inhibitor, Cyclosporin and Taclorims as calcineurininhibitors, Hydroxychloroquine as an anti-malarial drug, Methotrexate asan antifolate, Zetbulin, Lymphoglobuline, and Thymoglobulin asantithymocyte globulins, Alemtuzumab, Rituximab, and Abatacept asbiologics targeting cell surface antigens, and Infliximab, Etanercept,Adalimumab, Tocilizumab, Belimumab and Anifrolumab as biologicstargeting cytokine interferons or cytokine interferon receptors.

Depending on the condition of immune inflammation-related diseases,allergic diseases, infections or cancers and the degree of treatmentand/or prevention targeted, two, three or more types of othertherapeutic agents can also be administered, and the other therapeuticagents can be encapsulated in the same preparation so as to beadministered at the same time. The other therapeutic agents and theanti-human TLR7 antibody can also be encapsulated in the samepreparation so as to be administered at the same time. Further, theanti-human TLR7 antibody and the other therapeutic agents can also beencapsulated in separate preparations and administered at the same time.Further, the other therapeutic agents and the anti-human TLR7 antibodycan also be administered separately one after another. That is, atherapeutic agent containing the anti-human TLR7 antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody as an active ingredient may beadministered after the other therapeutic agents are administered, or theother therapeutic agents may be administered after a therapeutic agentcontaining the anti-human TLR7 antibody or the antigen-binding fragmentof the antibody as an active ingredient is administered. In the case ofadministration in gene therapy, the gene of a protein therapeutic agentand the gene of the anti-human TLR7 antibody can be inserted downstreamof the same or separate promoter regions and can be introduced into thesame or separate vectors.

The targeted drug conjugates disclosed in M. C. Garnet “Targeted drugconjugates: principles and progress”, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews,(2001) 53, 171-216 can be produced by binding the therapeutic agents tothe anti-human TLR7 antibody or its fragment. For this purpose, anyantibody fragment can be applied, other than antibody molecules, as longas it does not completely lose T-cell recognition. Examples thereof caninclude fragments such as Fab, F(ab′)₂, and Fv, and the antibody andsuch fragments can be used in the same manner as in the presentinvention. The binding mode of the anti-human TLR7 antibody, or thefragment of the antibody, to the therapeutic agents can be in variousforms disclosed in M. C. Garnet “Targeted drug conjugates: principlesand progress”, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, (2001) 53, 171-216, G. T.Hermanson “Bioconjugate Techniques” Academic Press, California (1996),Putnam and J. Kopecek “Polymer Conjugates with Anticancer Activity”Advances in Polymer Science (1995) 122, 55-123, etc. That is, examplesthereof can include a mode in which the anti-human TLR7 antibody ischemically bound to the therapeutic agents directly or via a spacer suchas an oligopeptide, or bound via a suitable drug carrier. Examples ofthe drug carrier can include liposomes and water-soluble polymers. Morespecifically, examples of the mode of binding via such a drug carriercan include a mode in which the antibody and the therapeutic agents areincluded in a liposome, and the liposome is bound to the antibody, and amode in which the therapeutic agents are chemically bound to awater-soluble polymer (compound with a molecular weight of about 1000 to100000) directly or via a spacer such as an oligopeptide, and theantibody is bound to the water-soluble polymer. The antibody (or thefragment) can be bound to the therapeutic agents or the drug carrierssuch as liposomes and water-soluble polymers by a method known to thoseskilled in the art such as the method according to G. T. Hermanson“Bioconjugate Techniques” Academic Press, California (1996), Putnam andJ. Kopecek “Polymer Conjugates with Anticancer Activity” Advances inPolymer Science (1995) 122, 55-123. The therapeutic agents can beincluded in the liposome by a method known to those skilled in the artsuch as the method according to D. D. Lasic “Liposomes: From Physics toApplications”, Elsevier Science Publishers B. V., Amsterdam (1993). Thetherapeutic agents can be bound to the water-soluble polymer by a methodknown to those skilled in the art such as the method according to D.Putnam and J Kopecek “Polymer Conjugates with Anticancer Activity”Advances in Polymer Science (1995) 122, 55-123. The conjugates of theantibody (or the fragment) and a protein therapeutic agent (or thefragment) can be produced by a genetic engineering method known to thoseskilled in the art other than the aforementioned method.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising an expression vector which comprises a polynucleotidecomprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one or those ofthe anti-human TLR7 antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody, as an active ingredient in an amount effective for treatingand/or preventing disease, and a diluent, a carrier, a solubilizer, anemulsifier, a preservative and/or an additive, which arepharmaceutically acceptable.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising an expression vector which comprises a polynucleotidecomprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one or those ofthe anti-human TLR7 antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody, in an amount effective for treating and/or preventing disease,at least one therapeutic agent in an amount effective for treatingand/or preventing disease, and a diluent, a carrier, a solubilizer, anemulsifier, a preservative, and/or an additive, which arepharmaceutically acceptable.

Examples of the therapeutic agent can include antifolates, calcineurininhibitors, corticosteroids, antithymocyte globulins, nucleic acidantimetabolites, nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors, biologics targetingcell surface antigens, or biologics targeting cytokines or cytokinereceptors described above, but there is no limitation to these examples.

The substances used for preparations which are acceptable in thepharmaceutical composition of the present invention are preferablynon-toxic, preferably at the administration dosage and theadministration concentration, to a person to whom the pharmaceuticalcomposition is administered.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can containsubstances used for preparations for changing or maintaining the pH, theosmotic pressure, the viscosity, the transparency, the color, theisotonicity, the sterility, the stability, the dissolution rate, thesustained release rate, the absorption rate and the penetration rate.Examples of the substances used for preparations can include, but arenot limited to: amino acids such as glycine, alanine, glutamine,asparagine, arginine or lysine, antibacterial agents, antioxidants suchas ascorbic acid, sodium sulfate or sodium bisulfite, buffers such asphosphoric acid, citric acid, boric acid buffer, sodium bicarbonate or atris-hydrochloric acid (Tris-Hcl) solution, fillers such as mannitol orglycine, chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA), complexing agents such as caffeine, polyvinyl pyrrolidine,β-cyclodextrin, or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, extenders such asglucose, mannose or dextrin, other carbohydrates such as monosaccharidesor disaccharides, coloring agents, flavoring agents, diluents,emulsifiers, hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidine,preservatives such as low-molecular weight polypeptides, salt-formingcounterions, benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid, salicylic acid,thimerosal, phenethyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben,chlorhexidine, sorbic acid or hydrogen peroxide, solvents such asglycerin, propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, sugar alcohols suchas mannitol or sorbitol, suspending agents, polysorbates such assorbitan ester, polysorbate 20 or polysorbate 80, surfactants such astriton, tromethamine, lecithin or cholesterol, stability enhancers suchas sucrose or sorbitol, elasticity enhancers such as sodium chloride,potassium chloride, mannitol or sorbitol, transport agents, excipients,and/or pharmaceutical auxiliary agents. The amount of the substancesused for preparations is to be added at preferably 0.01 to 100 times,particularly 0.1 to 10 times, with respect to the weight of theanti-human TLR7 antibody. The suitable composition of the pharmaceuticalcomposition in preparations can be appropriately determined by thoseskilled in the art, corresponding to the disease to be applied, theadministration route to be applied, or the like.

Excipients or carriers in the pharmaceutical composition may be liquidor solid. Suitable excipients or carriers may be water for injection,normal saline, artificial cerebrospinal fluid, or other substancesgenerally used for parenteral administration. Neutral normal saline ornormal saline containing serum albumin can also be used for carriers.The pharmaceutical composition can contain a Tris buffer with a pH of7.0 to 8.5, an acetate buffer with a pH of 4.0 to 5.5 or a citric acidbuffer with a pH of 3.0 to 6.2. Further, these buffers can also containsorbitol or other compounds. Examples of the pharmaceutical compositionof the present invention can include a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising anti-human TLR7 antibody and a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising anti-human TLR7 antibody and at least one therapeutic agent,and the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is preparedas a drug having a selected composition and a necessary purity, in theform of a freeze-dried product or liquid. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising anti-human TLR7 antibody and a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising anti-human TLR7 antibody and at least one bone metabolismdisorder therapeutic drug can be formed as a freeze-dried product usinga suitable excipient such as sucrose.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be preparedfor parenteral administration or can be prepared for oralgastrointestinal absorption. The composition and the concentration ofthe preparation can be determined depending on the administrationmethod. Alternatively, an affinity that is a higher affinity (lower Kdvalue), in terms of the dissociation constant (Kd value) to human TLR7of the anti-human TLR7 antibodies contained in the pharmaceuticalcomposition of the present invention, enables the drug efficacy to beexerted with reduced dosage in humans, and therefore the dosage of thepharmaceutical composition of the present invention in humans can alsobe determined based on this affinity. The dosage in the presentinvention may be about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg once every 1 to 180 days whenthe anti-human TLR7 antibody is administered to a human.

Examples of embodiments of the pharmaceutical composition of the presentinvention can include injections including intravenous drip,suppositories, nasal preparations, sublingual preparations andtransdermal drugs.

Although most approved antibody preparations are intravenouslyadministered, subcutaneous administration is preferred in many medicalsettings. In such a case, the volume is limited to 1.0 to 1.5 mL, andthus a high-concentration antibody solution is required depending on thedosage. However, when the concentration is increased, the viscosity ofthe drug solution increases, and therefore the injection may beimpossible due to the high viscosity with the thickness of commonly usedinjection needles. That is, in the case of selecting an injection, theproperty of low viscosity has an important meaning to be prioritized asan embodiment of the pharmaceutical composition, and a suitable antibodycan be selected using the viscosity as an indicator.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described by wayof examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.In the following examples, each operation related to genetic engineeringis performed according to the method disclosed in “Molecular Cloning”(Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T., Cold Spring HarborLaboratory Press, 1989) or performed using a commercially availablereagent or kit according to the instruction of the commerciallyavailable product, unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 Production of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 1)-1 Immunization1)-1-1 Establishment of Ba/F3 Cell Line Expressing HumanTLR7-Flag-His×6/Human Unc93B1-HAX2

The human TLR7 (variant 2) gene (SEQ ID NO: 3) was integrated intoretroviral vectors, pMXs (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) tagged with Flag-His×6added to the C-terminus of the gene using an enzyme, IN FUSION® (TakaraBio Inc). The retroviral vectors were transfected into a packaging cellline based on the HEK293 cell line, Plat-E (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) using atransfection reagent, FUGENE® 6 (Roche). The culture supernatant wascollected 24 hours later and used as a virus suspension. The virussuspension was mixed with a transfection reagent, DOTAP (Roche), themixture was added to a Ba/F3 cell line (RIKEN, BRC), and high-speedcentrifugation was performed at 2000 rpm for 1 hour, to establish aBa/F3 cell line expressing human TLR7-Flag-His×6.

The human TLR7 encoded by the human TLR7 (variant 2) gene (SEQ ID NO: 3)comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. The sequence is shownin FIG. 2.

The human Unc93B1 gene (SEQ ID NO: 55) was integrated into retroviralvectors, pMXs (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) tagged with HAX2 added to theC-terminus of the gene using an enzyme, IN FUSION® (Takara Bio Inc). Theretroviral vectors were transfected into a packaging cell line based onthe HEK293 cell line, Plat-E (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) using a transfectionreagent, FUGENE® 6 (Roche). The culture supernatant was collected 24hours later and used as a virus suspension. The virus suspension wasmixed with a transfection reagent, DOTAP (Roche), the mixture was addedto the Ba/F3 cell line expressing human TLR7-Flag-His×6 establishedabove, and high-speed centrifugation was performed at 2000 rpm for 1hour, to establish a Ba/F3 cell line expressing humanTLR7-Flag-His×6/human Unc93B1-HAx2.

1)-1-2 Mouse Immunization

The Ba/F3 cell line expressing human TLR7-Flag-His×6/human Unc93B1-HAX2established above in 1)-1-1 was mixed with an adjuvant, TITERMAX® Gold(TiterMax USA, Inc.), and the mixture was administered as an antigen tothe sole, the tail base, and the peritoneal cavity of TLR9-deficientmice with BALB/c background produced by the Institute of Medical Scienceof the University of Tokyo a total of 3 times per week.

At the 4th time, the Ba/F3 cell line expressing humanTLR7-Flag-His×6/human Unc93B1-HAX2 suspended in 1×PBS wasintraperitoneally administered.

The spleen was removed 5 days after the last immunization and used forproducing hybridomas.

1)-2 Production of Hybridomas

The spleen cells after the immunization were mixed with Sp2/o cell line(ATCC), and cell fusion was performed using an HVJ-E cell fusion kit(ISHIHARA SANGYO KAISHA, LTD). In order to select hybridomas, the cellswere cultured from the day after the cell fusion operation in RPMI1640(Life Technologies) containing a HAT (Thermo FisherScientific)-containing culture solution (10% FBS), 50-μM2-Mercaptoethanol (Life Technologies), 50-U/mL Penicillin, and 50-μg/mLStreptomycin (Life Technologies), and the hybridoma colonies thatemerged were collected to produce monoclonal hybridomas.

1)-3 Screening of Antibody Binding to Human TLR7 by Flow Cytometry

The culture supernatant was collected from hybridomas forming coloniesunder a microscope and used for screening. A Ba/F3 cell line expressinghTLR7-Flag-His×6/hUnc93B1-HAX2 subjected to membrane permeation with0.1% Saponin (Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC) and Ba/F3 cells expressing nothingwere each stained with the culture supernatant and analyzed by flowcytometry (LSRFortessaTMX-20, Becton, Dickinson and Company), to selecthybridomas producing anti-hTLR7 antibody.

1)-4 Screening of Human TLR7 Antibody Inhibition of Human TLR7 Functionby Flow Cytometry

The human TLR7 (variant 2) gene (SEQ ID NO: 3) and the human Unc93B1D34A mutant-HAX2 gene (SEQ ID NO: 86) were introduced into a Ba/F3 cellline (RIKEN, BRC) using a retrovirus. Further, a NF-κB-greenfluorescence protein (GFP) reporter plasmid (STRATAGENE) was transfectedinto the cells by the electroporation method, so that a Ba/F3 cell lineexpressing hTLR7/hUnc93B1 D34A mutant-HAX2 and capable of analyzingNF-κB activation was established, and the hybridoma culture supernatantwas added to the cell line. The cells were stimulated 4 hours later with25 ng/ml of a TLR7 ligand, R848 (InvivoGen). As a result of analyzingthe inhibitory effects of human TLR7 response by measuring the GFPfluorescence intensity using flow cytometry 24 hours later, three mouseanti-human TLR7 antibody-producing hybridomas were selected and werenamed AT01, NB7, and FAN2, respectively.

In this description, antibodies produced by hybridomas AT01, NB7, andFAN2 are referred to as ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody, and FAN2 antibody,respectively.

1)-5 Determination of Isotype of Antibody

The isotypes of the antibodies produced by the mouse anti-human TLR7antibody-producing hybridomas (AT01, NB7, and FAN2) obtained in 1)-4were each determined using an IsoStrip Mouse Monoclonal AntibodyIsotyping Kit (Merck KGaA). As a result, the isotypes of ATO1 antibody,NB7 antibody, and FAN2 antibody were each determined to be an IgG1/κchain.

1)-6 Preparation of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody

The mouse anti-human TLR7 monoclonal antibody was purified from ascitescollected about 10 days after each hybridoma was intraperitoneallyadministered to ICR-CD1-Foxnl nude mice (ICR-nu, CHARLES RIVERLABORATORIES JAPAN, INC.) pretreated with pristane (Sigma-Aldrich Co.LLC., currently, Merck KGaA).

First, pristane was intraperitoneally administered to ICR-nu, and themice were bred for 7 days or more. Thereafter, the AT01, NB7, orFAN2-producing hybridoma was cultured in RPMI1640 (Life Technologies)containing 10% FBS, 50-μM 2-Mercaptoethanol (Life Technologies), 50-U/mLPenicillin, and 50-μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies), followed byproliferation to a sufficient volume. Thereafter, the hybridoma wassuspended in 1×PBS and intraperitoneally administered to the ICR-nu.

Ascites was collected 10 days later, and the blood cells were sedimentedby a high-speed centrifuge, to collect a supernatant. After 10-folddilution with 1×PBS, the ascites was passed through a 0.45 μm filter(Millipore).

The antibody was purified from the aforementioned ascites on a proteinGcolumn (GE Healthcare Japan Corporation) using an AKTAprime plus (GEHealthcare Japan Corporation).

Subsequently, buffer replacement with saline was performed together withenrichment using PD-10 (GE Healthcare Japan Corporation), to prepare theantibody at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL or more.

Finally, sterilization with Millex-GV 0.22 μm (Millipore) was performed,to give a purified sample.

Example 2 In Vitro Evaluation of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 2)-1Evaluation of Binding Selectivity of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody2)-1-1 Establishment of Ba/F3 Cell Line Expressing Mouse TLR7-Flag-His×6

The mouse TLR7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 56) was integrated into retroviralvectors, pMXs (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) tagged with Flag-His×6 added to theC-terminus of the gene using an enzyme, IN FUSION® (Takara Bio Inc). Theretroviral vectors were transfected into a packaging cell line based onthe HEK293 cell line, Plat-E (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) using a transfectionreagent, FUGENE® 6 (Roche). The culture supernatant was collected 24hours later and used as a virus suspension. The virus suspension wasmixed with a transfection reagent, DOTAP (Roche), the mixture was addedto a Ba/F3 cell line (RIKEN, BRC), and high-speed centrifugation wasperformed at 2000 rpm for 1 hour, to establish a Ba/F3 cell lineexpressing mouse TLR7-Flag-His×6.

The mouse TLR7 encoded by the mouse TLR7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 56) comprisesthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 83. The sequence is shown in FIG.3.

2)-1-2 Establishment of Ba/F3 Cell Line Expressing Rat TLR7-Flag-His×6

The rat TLR7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 57) was integrated into retroviralvectors, pMXs (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) tagged with Flag-His×6 added to theC-terminus of the gene using an enzyme, IN FUSION® (Takara Bio Inc). Theretroviral vectors were transfected into a packaging cell line based onthe HEK293 cell line, Plat-E (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) using a transfectionreagent, FUGENE® 6 (Roche). The culture supernatant was collected 24hours later and used as a virus suspension. The virus suspension wasmixed with a transfection reagent, DOTAP (Roche), the mixture was addedto a Ba/F3 cell line (RIKEN, BRC), and high-speed centrifugation wasperformed at 2000 rpm for 1 hour, to establish a Ba/F3 cell lineexpressing rat TLR7-Flag-His×6.

The rat TLR7 encoded by the rat TLR7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 57) comprises theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 84. The sequence is shown in FIG. 4.

2)-1-3 Establishment of Ba/F3 Cell Line Expressing MonkeyTLR7-Flag-His×6

The monkey TLR7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 58) was integrated into retroviralvectors, pMXs (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) tagged with Flag-His×6 added to theC-terminus of the gene using an enzyme, IN FUSION® (Takara Bio Inc). Theretroviral vectors were transfected into a packaging cell line based onthe HEK293 cell line, Plat-E (Cell Biolabs, Inc.) using a transfectionreagent, FUGENE® 6 (Roche). The culture supernatant was collected 24hours later and used as a virus suspension. The virus suspension wasmixed with a transfection reagent, DOTAP (Roche), the mixture was addedto a Ba/F3 cell line (RIKEN, BRC), and high-speed centrifugation wasperformed at 2000 rpm for 1 hour, to construct a Ba/F3 cell lineexpressing monkey TLR7-Flag-His×6.

The monkey TLR7 encoded by the monkey TLR7 gene (SEQ ID NO: 58)comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 85. The sequence isshown in FIG. 5.

2)-1-4 Evaluation of Binding Selectivity of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7Antibody by Flow Cytometry

The Ba/F3 cell line expressing human TLR7-Flag-His×6/human Unc93B1-HAX2established above in 1)-1-1, the Ba/F3 cell line expressing mouseTLR7-Flag-His×6 established above in 2)-1-1, the Ba/F3 cell lineexpressing rat TLR7-Flag-His×6×2 established above in 2)-1-2, and theBa/F3 cell line expressing monkey TLR7-Flag-His×6 established above in2)-1-3 were subjected to membrane permeation with 0.1% Saponin andstained using ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody, and FAN2 antibody, and asecondary antibody, Goat anti-mouse IgG (H+L)-PE (eBioscience). Thebinding selectivity of each antibody was evaluated by comparing theaverage fluorescence intensity (MFI) based on flow cytometry analysis.

The results indicate that ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody, and FAN2 antibodyspecifically bound to human TLR7 or monkey TLR7 and did not bind tomouse TLR7 or rat TLR7.

2)-2 Evaluation of Binding Ability of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody

The Ba/F3 cell line expressing human TLR7-Flag-His×6/human Unc93B1-HAx2established above in 1)-1-1 was subjected to membrane permeation with0.1% Saponin and stained using a dilution series of ATO1 antibody, NB7antibody, and FAN2 antibody, and a secondary antibody, Goat anti-mouseIgG (H+L)-PE (eBioscience). The binding activity of each antibody wasevaluated by comparing the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) based onflow cytometry analysis.

The results indicate that the antibody having the highest bindingactivity was in the order of ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody, and FAN2antibody.

2)-3 Inhibitory Activity of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody on CytokineProduction

Human PBMCs were purchased from Cellular Technology Limited as a frozenproduct and thawed according to the instructions for use.

The PBMCs suspended at a concentration of 2.5×10⁶ cells/mL in RPMI1640(Life Technologies Corp.) containing 10% FBS, 1-mM Sodium Pyruvate (LifeTechnologies Corp.), 0.1-mM MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids (LifeTechnologies Corp.), 50-μM 2-Mercaptoethanol (Life Technologies Corp.),50-U/mL Penicillin, and 50-μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.)were seeded in a 96-well cell culture plate at 100 μL each, and themouse anti-human TLR7 antibody, ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody, or FAN2antibody, or a mouse IgG control antibody (BioLegend, Inc.) was addedthereto at 80 μL/well, followed by pretreatment in an incubator at 37°C. for 4 hours.

Thereafter, 1-mg/mL CL-264 (InvivoGen) was added thereto at 20 μL/well,and the mixture was stirred well, followed by culturing at 37° C. forabout 20 hours under 5% CO₂. The plate was stirred well and thereaftercentrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 minutes, and the concentration ofinterleukin-6 (IL-6) contained in the supernatant was measured by theFRET method (Cisbio Bioassay. Inc).

FIG. 6 shows the results. The mouse anti-human TLR7 antibody suppressedthe production of IL-6 from the human PBMCs treated with CL-264 in aconcentration dependent manner. The ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody, andFAN2 antibody inhibited the production of IL-6 from the human PBMCs in aconcentration dependent manner. The half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50of ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody and FAN2 antibody were 192 ng/mL, 771ng/mL, and 8389 ng/mL, respectively, which were calculated from theconcentrations of the two values, which are either side of the 50%inhibitory activity, and the inhibitory activity when each of the twoconcentrations were added.

Meanwhile, inhibition was not observed in the mouse IgG control antibodyeven at a concentration of 10 μg/mL.

Example 3

Determination of Nucleotide Sequence and Amino Acid Sequence of cDNAEncoding Variable Region of Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody

3)-1 Synthesis of cDNA

Total RNA was collected from the hybridomas of AT01, NB7, and FAN2 usinga TRIzol Reagent (Ambion). Subsequently, cDNA was synthesized using aPrimeScript 1st Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (TAKARA).

3)-2 Amplification and Sequencing of Mouse Immunoglobulin Heavy- andLight-Chain Variable Region Gene Fragments

The nucleotide sequences encoding the variable regions of the antibodycontained in the synthesized cDNA were determined by GenScriptCorporation.

3)-2-1 Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody (AT01)

The amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of cDNAencoding the heavy-chain variable region of AT01 antibody determinedabove is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 5 in the Sequence Listing.

The amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of cDNAencoding the light-chain variable region of ATO1 antibody determinedabove is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11 in the Sequence Listing.

3)-2-2 Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody (NB7)

The amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of cDNAencoding the heavy-chain variable region of NB7 antibody determinedabove is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 in the Sequence Listing.

The amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of cDNAencoding the light-chain variable region of NB7 antibody determinedabove is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13 in the Sequence Listing.

3)-2-3 Mouse Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody (FAN2)

The amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of cDNAencoding the heavy-chain variable region of FAN2 antibody determinedabove is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 9 in the Sequence Listing.

The amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of cDNAencoding the light-chain variable region of FAN2 antibody determinedabove is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15 in the Sequence Listing.

Example 4 Production of Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 4)-1Construction of Expression Vector of Chimeric Anti-TLR7 Antibody

4)-1-1 Construction of Chimeric Light-Chain Expression Vector, pCMA-LK

A DNA fragment (SEQ ID NO: 59) containing an approximately 5.4-kbfragment obtained by digesting plasmid pcDNA3.3-TOPO/LacZ (InvitrogenCorp.) with restriction enzymes, Xbal and Pmel and a DNA sequenceencoding the human light-chain signal sequence and the human kappa-chainconstant region were bound together using an In-Fusion HD PCR cloningkit (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.), to produce pcDNA3.3/LK. pCMA-LK wasconstructed by removing the neomycin expression unit from pcDNA3.3/LK.

4)-1-2 Construction of Chimeric IgG1 Heavy-Chain Expression Vector,pCMA-G1

A DNA fragment (SEQ ID NO: 60) containing a DNA fragment obtained bydigesting pCMA-LK with Xbal and Pmel and removing the light chain signalsequence and the human kappa-chain constant region was bound to a DNAsequence encoding the human heavy-chain signal sequence and the humanIgG1 constant region using an In-Fusion HD PCR cloning kit (ClontechLaboratories, Inc.), to construct pCMA-G1.

4)-1-3 Construction of ATO1 Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody ExpressionVector

A DNA fragment comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding theheavy-chain variable region of cAT01 antibody represented by nucleotides36 to 422 in the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 61 wassynthesized (Geneart AG). The synthesized DNA fragment was inserted intothe site where pCMA-G1 was cut with a restriction enzyme, BlpI, using anIn-Fusion HD PCR cloning kit (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.), therebyconstructing a cAT01 antibody heavy-chain expression vector. The heavychain of cAT01 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35 including the signal sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 7.

The DNA fragment (SEQ ID NO: 62) comprising a DNA sequence encoding thelight chain of cAT01 antibody was synthesized (Geneart AG). Using thepCMA-LK produced in Example 4)-1-1, a cAT01 antibody light-chainexpression vector was constructed in the same manner as above. The lightchain of cAT01 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:36 including the signal sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 7.

4)-1-4 Construction of NB7 Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody ExpressionVector

A DNA fragment comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding theheavy-chain variable region of cNB7 antibody represented by nucleotides36 to 440 in the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 63 wassynthesized (Geneart AG). A cNB7 heavy-chain expression vector wasconstructed in the same manner as in Example 4)-1-3. The heavy chain ofcNB7 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 37including the signal sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 8.

A DNA fragment (SEQ ID NO: 64) comprising the DNA sequence encoding thecNB7 light chain was synthesized (Geneart AG). Using the pCMA-LKproduced in Example 4)-1-1, a cNB7 light-chain expression vector wasconstructed in the same manner as in Example 4)-1-3. The light chain ofcNB7 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 38including the signal sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 8.

4)-1-5 Construction of FAN2 Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody ExpressionVector

A DNA fragment comprising the nucleotide sequence encoding theheavy-chain variable region of cFAN2 antibody represented by nucleotides36 to 437 in the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 65 wassynthesized (Geneart AG). A cFAN2 heavy-chain expression vector wasconstructed in the same manner as in Example 4)-1-3. The heavy chain ofcFAN2 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 39including the signal sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 9.

A DNA fragment (SEQ ID NO: 66) comprising the DNA sequence encoding thecFAN2 light chain was synthesized (Geneart AG). Using the pCMA-LKproduced in Example 4)-1-1, a cFAN2 light-chain expression vector wasconstructed in the same manner as in Example 4)-1-3. The light chain ofcFAN2 antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 40including the signal sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 9.

4)-2 Production of Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 4)-2-1 Productionof Chimeric ATO1 Antibody

FreeStyle 293F cells (Invitrogen Corp.) were passaged and culturedaccording to the manual. 1.2×10⁹FreeStyle 293F cells (Invitrogen Corp.)in the logarithmic growth phase were seeded in a 3-L Fernbach ErlenmeyerFlask (Corning Incorporated) and diluted with a FreeStyle293 expressionmedium (Invitrogen Corp.) at a concentration of to 2.0×10⁶ cell/mL. 0.24mg of the heavy-chain expression vector constructed above in 4)-1-3,0.36 mg of the light-chain expression vector constructed above in4)-1-3, and 1.8 mg of Polyethyleneimine (Polyscience #24765) were addedto 40 mL of an Opti-Pro SFM medium (Invitrogen Corp.), followed bygentle stirring and further standing for 5 minutes. Thereafter, themixture was added to the FreeStyle 293F cells. After shaking culture inan incubator at 37° C. under 8% CO₂ for 4 hours at 90 rpm, 600 ml ofEX-CELL VPRO medium (SAFC Biosciences), 18 ml of GlutaMAX I (Gibco), and30 mL of Yeastolate Ultrafiltrate (Gibco) were added thereto, followedby shaking culture in an incubator at 37° C. under 8% CO₂ at 90 rpm for7 days, and the culture supernatant obtained was filtered with aDisposable Capsule Filter (Advantec #CCS-045-E1H), to produce a chimericATO1 antibody.

4)-2-2 Production of Chimeric NB7 Antibody

Using the heavy-chain expression vector and light-chain expressionvector constructed in 4)-1-4 above, a chimeric NB7 antibody was producedby the method of 4)-2-1.

4)-2-3 Production of Chimeric FAN2 Antibody

Using the heavy-chain expression vector and light-chain expressionvector constructed in 4)-1-5 above, a chimeric FAN2 antibody wasproduced by the method of 4)-2-1.

4)-3 Purification of Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody

An antibody of interest was purified from each culture supernatantobtained in Example 4)-2 by a one-step process of rProtein A affinitychromatography. The culture supernatant was applied to a column (GEHealthcare Bioscience) filled with MabSelectSuRe equilibrated with PBS,and thereafter the column was washed with PBS in a volume of twice ormore the column volume. Next, elution was carried out with a 2M argininehydrochloride solution (pH 4.0), to collect a fraction containing theantibody. The fraction was subjected to buffer replacement with PBS(−)by dialysis (Slide-A-Lyzer Dialysis Cassette, Thermo Scientific). Theantibody was concentrated with a Centrifugal UF Filter Device,VIVASPIN20 (fraction molecular weight UF10K, Sartorius AG), to preparethe IgG at a concentration of 10 mg/mL or more. Finally, filtration wascarried out with a Minisart-Plus filter (Sartorius AG), to give apurified sample.

Example 5 In Vitro Activity of Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 5)-1Antigen-Binding Activity of Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody by FlowCytometry

A Ba/F3 cell line expressing human TLR7-Flag-His×6/hUnc93B1-HAx2 wassubjected to membrane permeation with 0.1% Saponin and stained using thedilution series of chimeric ATO1 antibody, NB7 antibody, and FAN2antibody at the antibody concentrations obtained in Example 4, and thesecondary antibody, Goat anti-human IgG Fc-PE (eBioscience). The bindingactivity of each antibody was evaluated by comparing the MFI based onflow cytometry analysis. The results indicate that the antibody havingthe highest binding activity was in the order of chimeric ATO1 antibody(cAT01), chimeric NB7 antibody (cNB7), and chimeric FAN2 antibody(cFAN2).

5)-2 Inhibitory Activity of Chimeric Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody onCytokine Production

Human PBMCs were purchased from Cellular Technology Limited as a frozenproduct and thawed according to the instructions for use. The PBMCssuspended at a concentration of 2.5×10⁶ cells/mL in RPMI1640 (LifeTechnologies Corp.) containing 10% FBS, 1 mM Sodium Pyruvate (LifeTechnologies Corp.), 0.1-mM MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids (LifeTechnologies Corp.), 50 μM 2-Mercaptoethanol (Life Technologies Corp.),50 U/mL Penicillin, and 50 μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.)were seeded in a 96-well cell culture plate at 100 μL each, and thechimeric anti-human TLR7 antibody, cAT01, cNB7, or cFAN2, or a human IgGcontrol antibody (Eureka Therapeutics) was added thereto at 80 μL/well,followed by pretreatment in an incubator at 37° C. for 4 hours.Thereafter, 1-mg/mL CL-264 (InvivoGen) was added thereto at 20 μL/well,and the mixture was stirred well, followed by culturing at 37° C. forabout 20 hours under 5% CO₂. The plate was stirred well and thereaftercentrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 minutes, and the concentration of IL-6contained in the supernatant was measured by the FRET method (CisbioBioassay. Inc).

FIG. 10 shows that the chimeric anti-human TLR7 antibody suppresses theproduction of IL-6 from the human PBMCs treated with CL-264 depending ina concentration dependent manner. The antibodies cAT01, cNB7, and cFAN2inhibited the production of IL-6 from the human PBMCs depending on theconcentration added. The half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of theantibodies cAT01, cNB7 and cFAN2 were 35 ng/mL, 196 ng/mL, 10000 ng/mLor more, respectively, which were calculated from the concentrations ofthe two values, which are either side of the 50% inhibitory activity,and the inhibitory activity when each of the two concentrations wereadded.

Meanwhile, inhibition was not observed in the human IgG control antibodyeven at a concentration of 10 μg/mL.

Example 6 Production of Humanized Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 6)-1Humanized Design of Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 6)-1-1 Molecular Modelingof Antibody Variable Regions

The molecular modeling of the variable regions was performed by a methodknown as homology modeling (Methods in Enzymology, 203, 121-153, (1991))using a commercially available protein three-dimensional structureanalysis program, BioLuminate (Schrodinger K.K). The template used was astructure registered in the Protein Data Bank (Nuc. Acid Res. 35,D301-D303 (2007)) having high sequence identity to the variable regionsof the heavy and light chains.

6)-1-2 Design of Humanized Amino Acid Sequence

A technique known as CDR grafting (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86,10029-10033(1989)) was used for humanization. Acceptors having highidentity were selected from the consensus sequences defined in Kabat etal. (Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. PublicHealth Service National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)) andthe human germline sequences registered in IMGT® (THE INTERNATIONALIMMUNOGENETICS INFORMATION SYSTEM, www.imgt.org), and donor residues tobe transferred onto the acceptors were selected by analyzing thethree-dimensional models with reference to the standards given by Queenet al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 10029-10033 (1989)).

6)-1-3 Design of Humanized Amino Acid Sequence of ATO1 Antibody

The consensus sequences of human gamma-chain subgroup 1 and kappa-chainsubgroup 1 having high identity to the framework regions of cAT01 wereselected as the acceptors of cAT01. In the molecular modeling of thevariable regions, a known structure (PDB ID: 1E4W) was used as atemplate.

6)-1-3-1 Humanization of ATO1 Antibody Heavy Chain

(1) The heavy chain designed was named huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA.huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 45 including the signal sequence as a heavy-chain full-length aminoacid sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 11. In the sequence, theamino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, theamino acid sequence at positions 20 to 135 is the variable region, andthe amino acid sequence at positions 136 to 465 is the constant region.Further, the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 54 is CDRH1, theamino acid sequence at positions 69 to 78 is CDRH2, and the amino acidsequence at positions 118 to 124 is CDRH3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:45 comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 67. Further, thenucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable region comprisesthe sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77.

(2) The heavy chain designed was named huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA.huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA including the signal sequence as a heavy-chainfull-length amino acid sequence comprises the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 46. The sequence is shown in FIG. 12. In thesequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signalsequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 135 is the variableregion, and the amino acid sequence at positions 136 to 465 is theconstant region. Further, the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 54is CDRH1, the amino acid sequence at positions 69 to 78 is CDRH2, andthe amino acid sequence at positions 118 to 124 is CDRH3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:46 comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 68. Further, thenucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable region comprisesthe sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 78.

(3) The heavy chain designed was named huAT01_H3_IgG4Pro.huAT01_H3_IgG4Pro including the signal sequence as a heavy-chainfull-length amino acid sequence comprises the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 47. The sequence is shown in FIG. 13. In thesequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signalsequence, the amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 135 is the variableregion, and the amino acid sequence at positions 136 to 462 is theconstant region. Further, the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 54is CDRH1, the amino acid sequence at positions 69 to 78 is CDRH2, andthe amino acid sequence at positions 118 to 124 is CDRH3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:47 comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 69. Further, thenucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable region comprisesthe sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 78.

FIG. 14 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 5)of the variable region of cAT01_H which is the heavy chain of chimericantibody cAT01 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cAT01_H), theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 41) of the variable region of thehumanized antibody heavy chain, huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA (which will behereinafter referred to as huAT01_H1), and the amino acid sequence (SEQID NO: 42) of the variable region of huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA (which will behereinafter referred to as huAT01_H3). In the sequences of huAT01_H1 andhuAT01_H3, the symbol “⋅” represents the same amino acid residue as thatof cAT01_H, and a substituted amino acid residue is shown in the sitewhere the amino acid residue is described.

6)-1-3-2 Humanization of ATO1 Antibody Light Chain

The light chain designed was named huAT01_L1. huAT01_L1 comprises theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48 including the signalsequence as a light-chain full-length amino acid sequence. The sequenceis shown in FIG. 15. In the sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 1 to 20 is the signal sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 126 is the variable region, and the amino acid sequenceat positions 127 to 233 is the constant region. Further, the amino acidsequence at positions 44 to 54 is CDRL1, the amino acid sequence atpositions 70 to 76 is CDRL2, and the amino acid sequence at positions109 to 116 is CDRL3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:48 comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70. Further, thenucleotide sequence encoding the light-chain variable region comprisesthe sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79.

The light chain designed was named huAT01_L2. huAT01_L2 comprises theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49 including the signalsequence as a light-chain full-length amino acid sequence. The sequenceis shown in FIG. 16. In the sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 1 to 20 is the signal sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 126 is the variable region, and the amino acid sequenceat positions 127 to 233 is the constant region. Further, the amino acidsequence at positions 44 to 54 is CDRL1, the amino acid sequence atpositions 70 to 76 is CDRL2, and the amino acid sequence at positions109 to 116 is CDRL3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:49 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 71. Further, the nucleotide sequenceencoding the light-chain variable region comprises the sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 80.

FIG. 17 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 11)of the variable region of cAT01_L, which is the light chain of chimericantibody cAT01 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cAT01_L), theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 43) of the variable region of humanizedantibody light chain huAT01_L1 (which will be hereinafter referred to ashuAT01_L1), and the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 44) of the variableregion of huAT01_L2 (which will be hereinafter referred to ashuAT01_L2). In the sequences of huAT01_L1 and huAT01_L2, the symbol “⋅”represents the same amino acid residue as that of cAT01_L, and asubstituted amino acid residue is shown in the site where the amino acidresidue is described.

6)-1-4 Design of Humanized Amino Acid Sequence of NB7

Human germline sequences IGHV4-30-4*02 and IGHJ6*01 having high identityto the framework regions of cNB7 were selected as the acceptors of cNB7.In the molecular modeling of the variable regions, a known structure(PDB ID: 3CDF) was used as a template.

6)-1-4-1 Humanization of NB7 Antibody Heavy Chain

(1) The heavy chain designed was named huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA.huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 52 including the signal sequence as a heavy-chain full-length aminoacid sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 18. In the sequence, theamino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, theamino acid sequence at positions 20 to 141 is the variable region, andthe amino acid sequence at positions 142 to 471 is the constant region.Further, the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 55 is CDRH1, theamino acid sequence at positions 70 to 78 is CDRH2, the amino acidsequence at positions 118 to 130 is CDRH3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:52 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 72. Further, the nucleotide sequenceencoding the heavy-chain variable region comprises the sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 81.

(2) The heavy chain designed was named huNB7_H3_IgG4Pro.huNB7_H3_IgG4Pro comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 54 including the signal sequence as a heavy-chain full-length aminoacid sequence. The sequence is shown in FIG. 19. In the sequence, theamino acid sequence at positions 1 to 19 is the signal sequence, theamino acid sequence at positions 20 to 141 is the variable region, andthe amino acid sequence at positions 142 to 468 is the constant region.Further, the amino acid sequence at positions 45 to 55 is CDRH1, theamino acid sequence at positions 70 to 78 is CDRH2, the amino acidsequence at positions 118 to 130 is CDRH3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:54 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 73. Further, the nucleotide sequenceencoding the heavy-chain variable region comprises the sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 81.

FIG. 20 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7)of the variable region of cNB7_H, which is the heavy chain of chimericantibody cNB7 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cNB7_H) and theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 50) of the variable region of humanizedantibody heavy chain huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA (which will be hereinafterreferred to as huNB7_H3). In huNB7_H3, the symbol “⋅” represents thesame amino acid residue as that of cNB7_H, and a substituted amino acidresidue is shown in the site where the amino acid residue is described.

6)-1-4-2 Humanization of NB7 Antibody Light Chain

The light chain designed was named huNB7_L3. huNB7_L3 comprises theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 53 including the signalsequence as a light-chain full-length amino acid sequence. The sequenceis shown in FIG. 21. In the sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 1 to 20 is the signal sequence, the amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 126 is the variable region, and the amino acid sequenceat positions 127 to 233 is the constant region. Further, the amino acidsequence at positions 44 to 54 is CDRL1, the amino acid sequence atpositions 70 to 76 is CDRL2, and the amino acid sequence at positions109 to 116 is CDRL3.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:53 is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 74. Further, the nucleotide sequenceencoding the light-chain variable region comprises the sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 82.

FIG. 22 shows the comparison of the amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 13)of the variable region of cNB7_L, which is the light chain of chimericantibody cNB7 (which will be hereinafter referred to as cNB7_L) and theamino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 51) of the variable region of humanizedantibody light chain huNB7_L3 (which will be hereinafter referred to ashuNB7_L3). In huNB7_L3, the symbol “⋅” represents the same amino acidresidue as that of cNB7_L, and a substituted amino acid residue is shownin the site where the amino acid residue is described.

6)-2 Design of Humanized Antibody by Combining Heavy and Light Chains6)-2-1 Design of Humanized ATO1 Anti-TLR7 Antibody

(1) An antibody comprising huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in SEQ ID NO: 45 as the heavy chainand huAT01_L1 consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to233 in SEQ ID NO: 48 as the light chain was named “huAT01_H1L1_IgG1LALAantibody” or “huAT01_H1L1_IgG1LALA”.(2) An antibody comprising huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in SEQ ID NO: 46 as the heavy chainand huAT01_L1 consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to233 in SEQ ID NO: 48 as the light chain was named “huAT01_H3L1_IgG1LALAantibody” or “huAT01_H3L1_IgG1LALA”.(3) An antibody comprising huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in SEQ ID NO: 46 as the heavy chainand huAT01_L2 consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to233 in SEQ ID NO: 49 as the light chain was named “huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALAantibody” or “huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA”.(4) An antibody comprising huAT01_H3_IgG4Pro consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 462 in SEQ ID NO: 47 as the heavy chainand huAT01_L2 consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to233 in SEQ ID NO: 49 as the light chain was named “huAT01_H3L2_IgG4Proantibody” or “huAT01_H3L2_IgG4Pro”.

6)-2-2 Design of Humanized NB7 Anti-TLR7 Antibody

(1) An antibody consisting of huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 471 in SEQ ID NO: 52 as the heavy chainand huNB7_L3 consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to233 in SEQ ID NO: 53 as the light chain was named “huNB7_H3L3_IgG1LALAantibody” or “huNB7_H3L3_IgG1LALA”.(2) An antibody consisting of huNB7_H3_IgG4Pro consisting of the aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 468 in SEQ ID NO: 54 as the heavy chainand huNB7_L3 consisting of the amino acid sequence at positions 21 to233 in SEQ ID NO: 53 as the light chain was named “huNB7_H3L3_IgG4Proantibody” or “huNB7_H3L3_IgG4Pro”.

6)-3 Production of Humanized Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody

6)-3-1 Construction of Humanized IgG1LALA Type Heavy-Chain ExpressionVector, pCMA-G1LALA

pCMA-G1LALA was constructed in the same manner as in Example 4)-1-2using DNA fragments comprising the nucleotide sequences encoding theamino acid sequences of the human heavy-chain signal sequence and thehuman IgG1LALA constant region (SEQ ID NO: 75).

6)-3-2 Construction of Humanized IgG4Pro Type Heavy-Chain ExpressionVector, pCMA-G4Pro

pCMA-G4Pro was constructed in the same manner as in Example 4)-1-2 usingDNA fragments comprising the nucleotide sequences encoding the aminoacid sequences of the human heavy-chain signal sequence and the humanIgG4Pro constant region (SEQ ID NO: 76).

6)-3-3 Construction of ATO1 Humanized Heavy-Chain Expression Vector

6)-3-3-1 Construction of huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 36 to 422 in the nucleotidesequence of huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 wassynthesized (Geneart AG). The DNA fragment synthesized was inserted intothe site where pCMA-G1LALA was cut with a restriction enzyme, BlpI,using an In-Fusion HD PCR cloning kit (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.),thereby constructing a huAT01_H1_IgG1LALA expression vector.

6)-3-3-2 Construction of huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 36 to 422 in the nucleotidesequence of huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA set forth in SEQ ID NO: 68 wassynthesized (Geneart AG). A huAT01_H3_IgG1LALA expression vector wasconstructed in the same manner as in Example 6)-3-3-1.

6)-3-3-3 Construction of huAT01_H3_IgG4Pro Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 36 to 422 in the nucleotidesequence of huAT01_H3_IgG4Pro set forth in SEQ ID NO: 69 was synthesized(Geneart AG). The DNA fragment synthesized was inserted into the sitewhere pCMA-G4Pro was cut with a restriction enzyme, BlpI, using anIn-Fusion HD PCR cloning kit (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.), therebyconstructing a huAT01_H3_IgG4Pro expression vector.

6)-3-4 Construction of ATO1 Humanized Light-Chain Expression Vector

6)-3-4-1 Construction of huAT01_L1 Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 37 to 399 in the nucleotidesequence of huAT01_L1 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 70 was synthesized(Geneart AG). The DNA fragment synthesized was inserted into the sitewhere pCMA-LK was cut with a restriction enzyme, BsiWI, using anIn-Fusion HD PCR cloning kit (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.), therebyconstructing a huAT01_L1 expression vector.

6)-3-4-2 Construction of huAT01_L2 Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 37 to 399 in the nucleotidesequence of huAT01_L2 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 71 was synthesized(Geneart AG). A huAT01_L1 expression vector was constructed in the samemanner as in Example 6)-3-4-1 using an In-Fusion HD PCR cloning kit(Clontech Laboratories, Inc).

6)-3-5 Construction of NB7 Humanized Heavy-Chain Expression Vector

6)-3-5-1 Construction of huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 36 to 440 in the nucleotidesequence of huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA set forth in SEQ ID NO: 72 was synthesized(Geneart AG). A huNB7_H3_IgG1LALA expression vector was constructed inthe same manner as in Example 6)-3-3-1.

6)-3-5-2 Construction of huNB7_H3_IgG4Pro Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 36 to 440 in the nucleotidesequence of huNB7_H3_IgG4Pro set forth in SEQ ID NO: 73 was synthesized(Geneart AG). A huNB7_H3_IgG4Pro expression vector was constructed inthe same manner as in Example 6)-3-3-3.

6)-3-6 Construction of NB7 Humanized Light-Chain Expression Vector

6)-3-6-1 Construction of huNB7_L3 Expression Vector

A DNA fragment represented by nucleotides 37 to 399 in the nucleotidesequence of huNB7_L3 set forth in SEQ ID NO: 74 was synthesized (GeneartAG). A huNB7_L3 expression vector was constructed in the same manner asin Example 6)-3-4-1 using an In-Fusion HD PCR cloning kit (ClontechLaboratories, Inc).

6)-3-7 Preparation of Humanized Antibodies 6)-3-7-1 Production ofHumanized Antibodies

Humanized antibodies of huAT01_H1L1_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L1_IgG1LALA,huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L2_IgG4Pro, huNB7_H3L3_IgG1LALA, andhuNB7_H3L3_IgG4Pro were produced by the combination of the heavy andlight chains designed in Example 6)-2, using the expression vectorsconstructed in Examples 6)-3-1 to 6)-3-6, in the same manner as inExample 4)-2.

6)-3-7-2 Purification of Humanized Antibodies

The culture supernatant obtained in Example 6)-3-7-1 was purified by atwo-step process of rProtein A affinity chromatography and ceramichydroxyapatite.

The culture supernatant was applied to a column (GE HealthcareBioscience) filled with MabSelectSuRe equilibrated with PBS, andthereafter the column was washed with PBS in a volume of twice or morethe column volume. Next, each antibody was eluted with a 2M argininehydrochloride solution (pH 4.0).

The fraction containing the antibody was subjected to buffer replacementwith PBS by dialysis (Slide-A-Lyzer Dialysis Cassette, ThermoScientific), diluted 5-fold with a 5 mM sodium phosphate/50-mM MES/pH7.0 buffer, and applied to a ceramic hydroxyapatite column (JapanBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Bio-Scale CHT Type-1 Hydroxyapatite Column)equilibrated with a 5-mM NaPi/50-mM MES/30 mM NaCl/pH 7.0 buffer.

Linear concentration gradient elution with sodium chloride wasperformed, and a fraction containing the antibody was collected. Thefraction was subjected to buffer replacement with HBSor (25 mMhistidine/5% sorbitol, pH 6.0) by dialysis (Slide-A-Lyzer DialysisCassette, Thermo Scientific). The antibody was concentrated with aCentrifugal UF Filter Device, VIVASPIN20 (fraction molecular weightUF10K, Sartorius AG), to prepare the IgG at a concentration of 50 mg/mL.Finally, filtration was carried out with a Minisart-Plus filter(Sartorius AG), to give a purified sample.

Example 7 In Vitro Activity of Humanized Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody 7)-1Inhibitory Activity of Humanized Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody on CytokineProduction

Human PBMCs were purchased from Cellular Technology Limited as a frozenproduct and thawed according to the instructions for use.

The PBMCs suspended at a concentration of 2.5×10⁶ cells/mL in RPMI1640(Life Technologies Corp.) containing 10% FBS, 1 mM Sodium Pyruvate (LifeTechnologies Corp.), 0.1 mM MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids (LifeTechnologies Corp.), 50 μM 2-Mercaptoethanol (Life Technologies Corp.),50 U/mL Penicillin, and 50-μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.)were seeded in a 96-well cell culture plate at 100 μL each, and thehumanized anti-human TLR7 antibody, huAT01_H1L1_IgG1LALA,huAT01_H3L1_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L2_IgG4Pro,huNB7_H3L3_IgG1LALA, or huNB7_H3L3_IgG4Pro, or a human IgG controlantibody (Eureka Therapeutics) was added thereto at 80 μL/well, followedby pretreatment in an incubator at 37° C. for 4 hours.

Thereafter, 1 mg/mL CL-264 (InvivoGen) was added thereto at 20 μL/well,and the mixture was stirred well, followed by culturing at 37° C. forabout 20 hours under 5% CO₂.

The plate was stirred well and thereafter centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5minutes, and the concentration of IL-6 contained in the supernatant wasmeasured by the FRET method (Cisbio Bioassay. Inc).

FIG. 23 shows that the humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody suppresses theproduction of IL-6 from the human PBMCs treated with CL-264 in aconcentration dependent manner.

The antibodies huAT01_H1L1_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L1_IgG1LALA,huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L2_IgG4Pro, huNB7_H3L3_IgG1LALA, andhuNB7_H3L3_IgG4Pro inhibited the production of IL-6 from the human PBMCsin a concentration dependent manner.

The half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50 of the antibodieshuAT01_H1L1_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L1_IgG1LALA, huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA,huAT01_H3L2_IgG4Pro, huNB7_H3L3_IgG1LALA and huNB7_H3L3_IgG4Pro were 74ng/mL, 138 ng/mL, 38 ng/mL, 24 ng/mL, 307 ng/mL and 31 ng/mL,respectively, which were calculated from the concentrations of the twovalues, which are either side of the 50% inhibitory activity, and theinhibitory activity when each of the two concentrations were added.

Example 8 Confirmation of Antigen Binding to Humanized Anti-Human TLR7Antibody 8)-1 Preparation of HEK293 Cells Expressing Human TLR7 (Variant1)-Flag

LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) at a concentrationof 4.5×10⁶ cells/flask were seeded in a 75-cm² flask (Sumitomo BakeliteCo., Ltd.) and cultured overnight in a DMEM medium (FUJIFILM Wako PureChemical Corporation) containing 10% FBS, 50 U/mL Penicillin, and 50μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.) under conditions of 37° C.and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-human TLR7 (variant1)-Flag, produced by GenScript Corporation, were transfected intoLENTI-X® HEK293 T cells (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) using atransfection reagent, LIPOFECTAMINE 2000 (Life Technologies Corp.), andthe cells were further cultured overnight under conditions of 37° C. and5% CO₂.

On the next day, the expression plasmid-introduced cells were treatedwith TrypLE Express (Life Technologies Corporation), and the cells afterthe treatment were washed with a Flow Cytometry Staining Buffer (LifeTechnologies Corporation) and thereafter suspended in a Flow CytometryStaining Buffer (Life Technologies Corporation). The cell suspensionobtained was used in flow cytometry analysis.

It was confirmed that human TLR7 was expressed in the cells transfectedwith the plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-human TLR7 (variant 1)-Flag, byflow cytometry (Miltenyi Biotec K.K.) using an anti-Flag-PE antibody(BioLegend, Inc.) or an isotype control antibody (BioLegend, Inc.) as anegative control.

The amino acid sequence of human TLR7 (variant 1) and a polynucleotidesequence encoding the amino acid sequence are set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2and 1 in the Sequence Listing, respectively.

8)-2 Preparation of HEK293 Cells Forcibly Expressing Human TLR7 (Variant2)-Flag

LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) at a concentrationof 4.5×10⁶ cells/flask were seeded in a 75-cm² flask (Sumitomo BakeliteCo., Ltd.) and cultured overnight in a DMEM medium (FUJIFILM Wako PureChemical Corporation) containing 10% FBS, 50 U/mL Penicillin, and50-μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.) under conditions of 37°C. and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-human TLR7 (variant2)-Flag, produced by GenScript Biotech Corporation, were transfectedinto LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) using atransfection reagent, LIPOFECTAMINE® 2000 (Life Technologies Corp.), andthe cells were further cultured overnight under conditions of 37° C. and5% CO₂.

On the next day, the expression vector-transfected cells were treatedwith TrypLE Express (Life Technologies Corporation), and the cells afterthe treatment were washed with a Flow Cytometry Staining Buffer (LifeTechnologies Corporation) and thereafter suspended in a Flow CytometryStaining Buffer (Life Technologies Corporation). The cell suspensionobtained was used in flow cytometry analysis.

It was confirmed that human TLR7 was expressed in the cells transfectedwith the plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-human TLR7 (variant 2)-Flag, byflow cytometry (Miltenyi Biotec K.K.) using an anti-Flag-PE antibody(BioLegend, Inc.) or an isotype control antibody (BioLegend, Inc.) as anegative control.

8)-3 Preparation of HEK293 Cells Expressing Monkey TLR7-Flag

LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) at a concentrationof 4.5×10⁶ cells/flask were seeded in a 75-cm² flask (Sumitomo BakeliteCo., Ltd.) and cultured overnight in a DMEM medium (FUJIFILM Wako PureChemical Corporation) containing 10% FBS, 50 U/mL Penicillin, and50-μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.) under conditions of 37°C. and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-monkey TLR7-Flag, producedby GenScript Corporation, were transfected into LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells(Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) using a transfection reagent,LIPOFECTAMINE® 2000 (Life Technologies Corp.), and the cells werefurther cultured overnight under conditions of 37° C. and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, the expression vector-transfected cells were treatedwith TrypLE Express (Life Technologies Corporation), and the cells afterthe treatment were washed with a Flow Cytometry Staining Buffer (LifeTechnologies Corporation) and thereafter suspended in a Flow CytometryStaining Buffer (Life Technologies Corporation). The cell suspensionobtained was used in flow cytometry analysis.

It was confirmed that monkey TLR7 was expressed in the cells transfectedwith the plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-monkey TLR7-Flag, by flowcytometry (Miltenyi Biotec K.K.), using an anti-Flag-PE antibody(BioLegend, Inc.) or an isotype control antibody (BioLegend, Inc.) as anegative control.

8)-4 Preparation of HEK293 Cells Expressing Mouse TLR7-Flag

LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) at a concentrationof 4.5×10⁶ cells/flask were seeded in a 75-cm² flask (Sumitomo BakeliteCo., Ltd.) and cultured overnight in a DMEM medium (FUJIFILM Wako PureChemical Corporation) containing 10% FBS, 50-U/mL Penicillin, and50-μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.) under conditions of 37°C. and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-mouse TLR7-Flag, producedby GenScript Corporation, were transfected into LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells(Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) using a transfection reagent,LIPOFECTAMINE® 2000 (Life Technologies Corp.), and the cells werefurther cultured overnight under conditions of 37° C. and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, the expression vector-transfected cells were treatedwith TrypLE Express (Life Technologies Corporation), and the cells afterthe treatment were washed with a Flow Cytometry Staining Buffer (LifeTechnologies Corporation) and thereafter suspended in a Flow CytometryStaining Buffer (Life Technologies Corporation). The cell suspensionobtained was used in flow cytometry analysis.

It was confirmed that mouse TLR7 was expressed in the cells transfectedwith the plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-mouse TLR7-Flag by flow cytometry(Miltenyi Biotec K.K.), using an anti-Flag-PE antibody (BioLegend, Inc.)or an isotype control antibody (BioLegend, Inc.) as a negative control.

8)-5 Preparation of HEK293 Cells Expressing Rat TLR7-Flag

LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells (Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) at a concentrationof 4.5×10⁶ cells/flask were seeded in a 75-cm² flask (Sumitomo BakeliteCo., Ltd.) and cultured overnight in a DMEM medium (FUJIFILM Wako PureChemical Corporation) containing 10% FBS, 50 U/mL Penicillin, and50-μg/mL Streptomycin (Life Technologies Corp.) under conditions of 37°C. and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-rat TLR7-Flag, produced byGenScript Corporation, were transfected into LENTI-X® HEK293 T cells(Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) using a transfection reagent,LIPOFECTAMINE® 2000 (Life Technologies Corp.), and the cells werefurther cultured overnight under conditions of 37° C. and 5% CO₂.

On the next day, the expression vector-transfected cells were treatedwith TrypLE Express (Life Technologies Corporation), and the cells afterthe treatment were washed with a Flow Cytometry Staining Buffer (LifeTechnologies Corporation) and thereafter suspended in a Flow CytometryStaining Buffer (Life Technologies Corporation). The cell suspensionobtained was used in flow cytometry analysis.

It was confirmed that rat TLR7 was expressed in the cells transfectedwith the plasmids expressing pcDNA3.1-rat TLR7-Flag by flow cytometry(Miltenyi Biotec K.K.), using an anti-Flag-PE antibody (BioLegend, Inc.)or an isotype control antibody (BioLegend, Inc.) as a negative control.

8)-6 Evaluation of Binding Selectivity of Humanized Anti-Human TLR7Antibody by Flow Cytometry

The HEK293 cells expressing human TLR7 (variant 1)-Flag prepared in8)-1, the HEK293 cells expressing human TLR7 (variant 2)-Flag preparedin 8)-2, the HEK293 cells expressing monkey TLR7-Flag prepared in 8)-3,the HEK293 cells expressing mouse TLR7-Flag prepared in 8)-4, and theHEK293 cells expressing rat TLR7-Flag prepared in 8)-5 wereimmobilized/subjected to membrane permeation with a Fixation andPermeabilization Solution (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and thereafterstained using huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA, which is one of the humanizedanti-human TLR7 antibodies, and ALEXA FLUOR® 647 AffiniPure Goatanti-human IgG+IgM (H+L) (Jackson ImmunoResearch Inc.), which is thesecondary antibody.

The binding of the humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody to human TLR7 wasdetected based on flow cytometry (Miltenyi Biotec K.K.), and the datawas analyzed using software (Flowjo) which analyzes the data of flowcytometry.

The results indicate that huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA, which is one of thehumanized anti-human TLR7 antibodies, bound specifically to human TLR7(variant 1), human TLR7 (variant 2), or monkey TLR7, and did not bind tomouse TLR7 or rat TLR7. FIGS. 25 to 29 show the results.

Example 9 Evaluation of In Vivo Inhibitory Effects of Anti-Human TLR7Antibody 9-1) Establishment of Human TLR7 Transgenic/Mouse TLR7 KnockoutMice 9-1-1) Preparation of Human TLR7 Transgenic Mouse

ROSA26 locus was targeted in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells togenerate human TLR7 transgenic mice.

Namely, human TLR7 plasmids were produced by incorporating human TLR7gene (SEQ ID NO:3) into CTV (CAG-STOP-eGFP-ROSA26TV) plasmid (Addgene)by using GIBSON ASSEMBLY® systems (New England BioLabs Inc.).

Next, the human TLR7 plasmids produced above were introduced into JM8.A3 (KOMP), which is ES cells derived from C57BL/6N mice, byelectroporation.

The ES cells in which human TLR7 plasmids were introduced were thenselected by using neomycin.

From ES cell clones resistant to neomycin, clones in which homologousrecombination occurred were selected by Southern blotting.

The selected ES cell clones were injected into mouse embryos derivedfrom C57BL/6N mice (Japan SLC, Inc.) and the said embryos weretransplanted into C57BL/6N mice (Japan SLC, Inc.) which were fosterparent mice, and chimeric mice were produced.

9-1-2) Preparation of Mouse TLR7 Knockout Mice

Mouse TLR7 knockout mice were generated by using known geneticmodification techniques.

That is, a guide RNA (gaacaguuggccaaucucucagg: SEQ ID NO: 87) targetingthe sequence on exon 5 of the mouse TLR7 gene (SEQ ID NO:56) and a hCas9protein (S.p. Cas9 Nuclease V3:IDT) were injected into fertilized eggsobtained from pregnant mice by mating C57BL/6N mice (Japan SLC, Inc.) toperform gene editing for deleting 4 bases on exon 5 of the mouse TLR7gene.

Subsequently, the said fertilized eggs were transplanted into C57BL/6Nmice (Japan SLC, Inc.) which were foster parent mice.

DNA was extracted from the tail of the offspring of the foster parentmice, and the said offspring of the foster parent mice was genotyped bythe PCR method, and consequently the individual in which 4 bases on exon5 of the mouse TLR7 gene were deleted, was recognized.

The said individual was confirmed to be a mouse TLR7 knockout mousewithout expressing normal mouse TLR7 protein by frameshift.

9-1-3) Mating of Human TLR7 Transgenic Mice and Mouse TLR7 Knockout Mice

Human TLR7 transgenic mice produced in 9-1-1) and mouse TLR7 knockoutmice produced in 9-1-2) were mated, and human TLR7 transgenic/mouse TLR7knockout mice were established.

9-2) Evaluation of Inhibitory Effects of Anti-Human TLR7 Antibody UsingHuman TLR7 Transgenic/Mouse TLR7 Knockout Mice 9-2-1) AntibodyAdministration, R848 Administration, and Blood Sampling

Human TLR7 transgenic/mouse TLR7 knockout mice established in 9-1-3)were administered 500 μg of a control antibody that does not bind humanTLR7 or a humanized anti-human TLR7 antibody (huAT01_H3L2_IgG1LALA)obtained in Example 6)-3-7 intraperitoneally.

Seven days after the administration of the said antibodies, 20 μg ofR848 (InvivoGen), which is a ligand of TLR7 was administeredintraperitoneally for activating TLR7 function.

Blood was collected from mice of each treatment group after 6 hours fromR848 administration.

After blood collection, centrifugation was performed at 10,000 rpm for15 minutes, and sera were collected.

9-2-2) Measurement of IL-6 Production Using Sera

Amount of IL-6 production was measured by ELISA kits (Thermo FisherScientific) using sera collected in 9-2-1).

The result is shown in FIG. 30.

Compared with the group of mice treated with the control antibody, thegroup of mice treated with the humanized anti-human TLR7 antibodysignificantly reduced the amount of IL-6 production (p=0.0008).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The humanized anti-TLR7 antibody of the present invention has a humanTLR7 function-inhibitory activity-suppressing action and thus can be anagent for treating or preventing immune inflammation-related diseasesand the like.

SEQUENCE LISTING

SEQ ID NO: 1: Nucleotide sequence encoding human TLR7 (variant 1)SEQ ID NO: 2: Amino acid sequence of human TLR7 (variant 1)SEQ ID NO: 3: Nucleotide sequence encoding human TLR7 (variant 2)SEQ ID NO: 4: Amino acid sequence of human TLR7 (variant 2)SEQ ID NO: 5: Amino acid sequence of heavy-chain variable region of ATO1antibodySEQ ID NO: 6: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy-chain variable regionof cAT01 antibodySEQ ID NO: 7: Amino acid sequence of heavy-chain variable region of NB7antibodySEQ ID NO: 8: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy-chain variable regionof cNB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 9: Amino acid sequence of heavy-chain variable region of FAN2antibodySEQ ID NO: 10: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy-chain variable regionof cFAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 11: Amino acid sequence of light-chain variable region ofATO1 antibodySEQ ID NO: 12: Nucleotide sequence encoding light-chain variable regionof cAT01 antibodySEQ ID NO: 13: Amino acid sequence of light-chain variable region of NB7antibodySEQ ID NO: 14: Nucleotide sequence encoding light-chain variable regionof cNB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 15: Amino acid sequence of light-chain variable region ofFAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 16: Nucleotide sequence encoding light-chain variable regionof cFAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 17: Amino acid sequence of CDRH1 of ATO1 antibodySEQ ID NO: 18: Amino acid sequence of CDRH2 of ATO1 antibodySEQ ID NO: 19: Amino acid sequence of CDRH3 of ATO1 antibodySEQ ID NO: 20: Amino acid sequence of CDRL1 of ATO1 antibodySEQ ID NO: 21: Amino acid sequence of CDRL2 of ATO1 antibodySEQ ID NO: 22: Amino acid sequence of CDRL3 of ATO1 antibodySEQ ID NO: 23: Amino acid sequence of CDRH1 of NB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 24: Amino acid sequence of CDRH2 of NB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 25: Amino acid sequence of CDRH3 of NB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 26: Amino acid sequence of CDRL1 of NB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 27: Amino acid sequence of CDRL2 of NB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 28: Amino acid sequence of CDRL3 of NB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 29: Amino acid sequence of CDRH1 of FAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 30: Amino acid sequence of CDRH2 of FAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 31: Amino acid sequence of CDRH3 of FAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 32: Amino acid sequence of CDRL1 of FAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 33: Amino acid sequence of CDRL2 of FAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 34: Amino acid sequence of CDRL3 of FAN2 antibodySEQ ID NO: 35: Amino acid sequence of heavy chain of ATO1 chimericanti-human TLR7 antibody (cAT01)SEQ ID NO: 36: Amino acid sequence of light chain of ATO1 chimericanti-human TLR7 antibody (cAT01)SEQ ID NO: 37: Amino acid sequence of heavy chain of NB7 chimericanti-human TLR7 antibody (cNB7)SEQ ID NO: 38: Amino acid sequence of light chain of NB7 chimericanti-human TLR7 antibody (cNB7)SEQ ID NO: 39: Amino acid sequence of heavy chain of FAN2 chimericanti-human TLR7 antibody (cFAN2)SEQ ID NO: 40: Amino acid sequence of light chain of FAN2 chimericanti-human TLR7 antibody (cFAN2)SEQ ID NO: 41: Amino acid sequence of heavy-chain variable region ofhuAT01_H1_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 42: Amino acid sequence of heavy-chain variable region ofhuAT01_H3_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 43: Amino acid sequence of light-chain variable region ofhuAT01_L1SEQ ID NO: 44: Amino acid sequence of light-chain variable region ofhuAT01_L2SEQ ID NO: 45: Amino acid sequence of huAT01_H1_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 46: Amino acid sequence of huAT01_H3_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 47: Amino acid sequence of huAT01_H3_IgG4ProSEQ ID NO: 48: Amino acid sequence of huAT01_L1SEQ ID NO: 49: Amino acid sequence of huAT01_L2SEQ ID NO: 50: Amino acid sequence of heavy-chain variable region ofhuNB7_H3_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 51: Amino acid sequence of light-chain variable region ofhuNB7_L3SEQ ID NO: 52: Amino acid sequence of huNB7_H3_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 53: Amino acid sequence of huNB7_L3SEQ ID NO: 54: Amino acid sequence of huNB7_H3_IgG4ProSEQ ID NO: 55: Nucleotide sequence of human Unc93B1 geneSEQ ID NO: 56: Nucleotide sequence of mouse TLR7 geneSEQ ID NO: 57: Nucleotide sequence of rat TLR7 geneSEQ ID NO: 58: Nucleotide sequence of monkey TLR7 geneSEQ ID NO: 59: Nucleotide sequences of DNA fragments comprisingnucleotide sequences encoding human light-chain signal sequence andhuman kappa-chain constant regionSEQ ID NO: 60: Nucleotide sequences of DNA fragments comprisingnucleotide sequences encoding human heavy-chain signal sequence andhuman IgG1 constant regionSEQ ID NO: 61: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy chain of cAT01antibodySEQ ID NO: 62: Nucleotide sequence of DNA fragment comprising nucleotidesequence encoding light chain of cAT01 antibodySEQ ID NO: 63: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy chain of cNB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 64: Nucleotide sequence of DNA fragment comprising nucleotidesequence encoding light chain of cNB7 antibodySEQ ID NO: 65: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy chain of cFAN2antibodySEQ ID NO: 66: Nucleotide sequence of DNA fragment comprising nucleotidesequence encoding cFAN2 antibody light chainSEQ ID NO: 67: Nucleotide sequence encoding huAT01_H1_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 68: Nucleotide sequence encoding huAT01_H3_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 69: Nucleotide sequence encoding huAT01_H3_IgG4ProSEQ ID NO: 70: Nucleotide sequence encoding huAT01_L1SEQ ID NO: 71: Nucleotide sequence encoding huAT01_L2SEQ ID NO: 72: Nucleotide sequence encoding huNB7_H3_IgG1LALASEQ ID NO: 73: Nucleotide sequence encoding huNB7_H3_IgG4ProSEQ ID NO: 74: Nucleotide sequence encoding huNB7_L3SEQ ID NO: 75: Nucleotide sequences of DNA fragments comprisingnucleotide sequences encoding human heavy-chain signal sequence andhuman IgG1LALA constant regionSEQ ID NO: 76: Nucleotide sequences of DNA fragments comprisingnucleotide sequences encoding human heavy-chain signal sequence andhuman IgG4Pro constant regionSEQ ID NO: 77: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy-chain variable regionof huAT01_H1SEQ ID NO: 78: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy-chain variable regionof huAT01_H3SEQ ID NO: 79: Nucleotide sequence encoding light-chain variable regionof huAT01_L1SEQ ID NO: 80: Nucleotide sequence encoding light-chain variable regionof huAT01_L2SEQ ID NO: 81: Nucleotide sequence encoding heavy-chain variable regionof huNB7_H3SEQ ID NO: 82: Nucleotide sequence encoding light-chain variable regionof huNB7_L3SEQ ID NO: 83: Amino acid sequence of mouse TLR7SEQ ID NO: 84: Amino acid sequence of rat TLR7SEQ ID NO: 85: Amino acid sequence of monkey TLR7SEQ ID NO: 86: Nucleotide sequence of human Unc93B1 D34A mutant-HAX2geneSEQ ID NO: 87: guide RNA targeting the sequence on exon 5 of the mouseTLR7 gene

1. A polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding anantibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody, wherein theantibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody having theproperties of: (a) specifically binding to human TLR7 or monkey TLR7 andnot binding to mouse TLR7 or rat TLR7; (b) inhibiting a function ofhuman TLR7 or monkey TLR7; and (c) comprising CDRH1 consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 17, CDRH2 consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18 and CDRH3 consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19, as complementaritydetermining regions in the heavy chain, and CDRL1 consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20, CDRL2 consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and CDRL3 consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 22, as complementaritydetermining regions in the light chain.
 2. The polynucleotide comprisinga polynucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody according to claim 1, wherein the human TLR7 isa molecule consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO: 4, the monkey TLR7 is a molecule consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 85, the mouse TLR7 is a moleculeconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 83, or therat TLR7 is a molecule consisting of the amino acid sequence set forthin SEQ ID NO:
 84. 3. The polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotidesequence encoding the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody according to claim 1, wherein the antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprising: a heavy-chainvariable region consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQID NO: 5 and a light-chain variable region consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 11. 4. The polynucleotide comprising apolynucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody according to claim 1, wherein a constant regionis a human-derived constant region.
 5. The polynucleotide comprising apolynucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody according to claim 4, comprising: a heavy chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35 and a light chain consisting ofan amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO:
 36. 6. The polynucleotide comprising apolynucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody according to claim 1, wherein the antibody orthe antigen-binding fragment of the antibody is humanized.
 7. Thepolynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding theantibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody according toclaim 6, comprising: (a) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and a light-chainvariable region consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQID NO: 43; (b) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and a light-chain variableregion consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44;(c) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variable region consistingof the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43; or (d) aheavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variable region consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 44. 8. Thepolynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding theantibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody according toclaim 7, comprising a heavy-chain variable region consisting of theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chainvariable region consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQID NO:
 44. 9. The polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequenceencoding the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to claim 7, comprising: (a) a heavy chain consisting of anamino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and a light chain consisting of an amino acidsequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 48; (b) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:45 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; (c) aheavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48; (d) a heavy chain consistingof an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting of anamino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; (e) a heavy chain consisting of an aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 462 in the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 47 and a light chain consisting of an amino acidsequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 48; or (f) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequenceat positions 20 to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO: 47 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:49.
 10. The polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encodingthe antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody accordingto claim 9, comprising a heavy chain consisting of an amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:49.
 11. The polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence encodingthe antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody accordingto claim 1, wherein the antigen-binding fragment is selected from thegroup consisting of Fab, F(ab)₂, Fab′ and Fv.
 12. A polynucleotidecomprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding an antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody, wherein the antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody having the properties of: (a)specifically binding to human TLR7, (b) inhibiting a function of humanTLR7, and (c) comprising CDRH1 consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 17, CDRH2 consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 18 and CDRH3 consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 19, as complementarity determining regions inthe heavy chain, and CDRL1 consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 20, CDRL2 consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 21 and CDRL3 consisting of the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 22, as complementarity determining regions inthe light chain.
 13. The polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotidesequence encoding the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody according to claim 12, wherein the antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprises a heavy-chainvariable region consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQID NO: 5 and a light-chain variable region consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 11. 14. The polynucleotide comprisingthe polynucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody according to claim 12, wherein a constantregion is a human-derived constant region.
 15. The polynucleotidecomprising the polynucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody according to claim 14, whereinthe antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprises aheavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35 and a light chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 36. 16. The polynucleotidecomprising the polynucleotide sequence encoding the antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody according to claim 12, whereinthe antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody ishumanized.
 17. The polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequenceencoding the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibodyaccording to claim 16, wherein the antibody or the antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody comprises: (a) a heavy-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and alight-chain variable region consisting of the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 43; (b) a heavy-chain variable region consisting ofthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 41 and a light-chainvariable region consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQID NO: 44; (c) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variableregion consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 43;or (d) a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variable regionconsisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 44. 18.The polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequence encoding theantibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody according toclaim 17, wherein the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody comprises a heavy-chain variable region consisting of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 42 and a light-chain variableregion consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 44.19. The polynucleotide comprising the polynucleotide sequence encodingthe antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of the antibody accordingto claim 17, wherein the antibody or the antigen-binding fragment of theantibody comprises: (a) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acidsequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 45 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:48; (b) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 45 and alight chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49; (c) a heavy chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting ofan amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO: 48; (d) a heavy chain consisting of an aminoacid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting of an amino acidsequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth inSEQ ID NO: 49; (e) a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence atpositions 20 to 462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:47 and a light chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions21 to 233 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 48; or (f)a heavy chain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to462 in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 47 and a lightchain consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in theamino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 49. 20. A polynucleotidecomprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding an antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody, wherein the antibody or theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody comprises a heavy chainconsisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 20 to 465 in the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 46 and a light chain consisting ofan amino acid sequence at positions 21 to 233 in the amino acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO:
 49. 21. The polynucleotide comprising apolynucleotide sequence encoding an antibody or an antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody according to claim 12, wherein theantigen-binding fragment of the antibody is selected from the groupconsisting of Fab, F(ab)₂, Fab′ and Fv.
 22. The polynucleotidecomprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding an antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody according to claim 12,comprising: a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consistingof: (a) a polynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variableregion set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77; (b) a polynucleotide sequenceencoding the heavy-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 78; and(c) a polynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide which hybridizes witha polynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide sequence complementaryto the polynucleotide sequence (a) or (b) under stringent conditions;and a polynucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of: (d)a polynucleotide sequence encoding the light-chain variable region setforth in SEQ ID NO: 79; (e) a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 80; and (f) apolynucleotide sequence of a polynucleotide which hybridizes with apolynucleotide consisting of a polynucleotide sequence complementary tothe polynucleotide sequence (d) or (e) under stringent conditions. 23.The polynucleotide according to claim 22, comprising: (a) apolynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable region setforth in SEQ ID NO: 77 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79; (b) apolynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable region setforth in SEQ ID NO: 77 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 80; (c) apolynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable region setforth in SEQ ID NO: 78 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 79; or (d) apolynucleotide sequence encoding the heavy-chain variable region setforth in SEQ ID NO: 78 and a polynucleotide sequence encoding thelight-chain variable region set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 80. 24. Anexpression vector comprising the polynucleotide according to claim 1.25. A host cell transformed with the expression vector according toclaim
 24. 26. The host cell according to claim 25, wherein the host cellis a eukaryotic cell.
 27. A method for producing an antibody or anantigen-binding fragment of the antibody, comprising the steps of:culturing the host cell according to claim 25; and collecting theantibody or the fragment of interest from the culture obtained in theabove step.
 28. An expression vector comprising the polynucleotideaccording to claim
 12. 29. A host cell transformed with the expressionvector according to claim
 28. 30. The host cell according to claim 29,wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic cell.
 31. A method for producingan antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of the antibody, comprisingthe steps of: culturing the host cell according to claim 29; andcollecting the antibody or the fragment of interest from the cultureobtained in the above step.
 32. An expression vector comprising thepolynucleotide according to claim
 20. 33. A host cell transformed withthe expression vector according to claim
 32. 34. The host cell accordingto claim 33, wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic cell.
 35. A methodfor producing an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment of theantibody, comprising the steps of: culturing the host cell according toclaim 33; and collecting the antibody or the fragment of interest fromthe culture obtained in the above step.
 36. An expression vectorcomprising the polynucleotide according to claim
 22. 37. A host celltransformed with the expression vector according to claim
 36. 38. Thehost cell according to claim 37, wherein the host cell is a eukaryoticcell.
 39. A method for producing an antibody or an antigen-bindingfragment of the antibody, comprising the steps of: culturing the hostcell according to claim 37; and collecting the antibody or the fragmentof interest from the culture obtained in the above step.